Disabled People Locked Out of Employment and Forced into Poverty Due to Government Inaction
Disabled people in Ireland continue to face systemic barriers to employment, forcing many into poverty, according to the latest report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC). The findings reveal that households with a disabled member spend up to 93% of their disposable income on disability-related costs, while disabled people face a poverty rate of up to 76% when these costs are factored in.
Responding to the report, Des Kenny, Chairperson of Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI), stated:
“These figures are startling as they again bring to notice the additional variable costs associated with disability from mild to severe. We have seen report after report confirming the reality that disabled people are more likely to live in poverty, not because of our impairments, but because of government inaction to recognise and respond to the costs associated with being disabled. The case is again presented and proven here for a cost of disability payment and for personalised budgets for all disabled people from child to adult. What is also recognised are the structural barriers to employment which have been ignored for too long. The government must act now to remove such barriers and to respond meaningfully to the costs associated with disability, so disabled people can live with financial security like everyone else and not be regarded as a burden on family or society.”
Time for Action: ILMI’s Key Policy Demands
- Introduce a Cost of Disability Payment Now
The government has acknowledged the high cost of disability, yet no targeted financial support has been introduced. ILMI demands an immediate Cost of Disability payment that goes directly to disabled people to ensure autonomy and choice over the supports they need. - the costs associated with disability should take the form of a cost of disability payment and/or come in the form of personal budgets which are receivable by the individual and not passed indirectly into care or similar costs.
- Set Mandatory Employment Targets in Public and Private Sectors
Disabled people are underrepresented in the workforce, not due to lack of skills, but due to systemic discrimination, inaccessible workplaces, and lack of supports. ILMI is calling for a 6% employment target for disabled people across all public sector jobs by 2027, with similar commitments required from the private and voluntary sectors through government incentives. - Invest in Accessible Public Transport and Workplace Supports
The lack of accessible and reliable transport remains a major employment barrier. Without it, many disabled people simply cannot get to work. Similarly, workplaces must be designed to accommodate disabled workers, including providing Personal Assistance (PA) support where needed. Government funding must be prioritised for these structural changes.
An Economic Argument: Investing in Disabled People Benefits Everyone
Keeping disabled people out of employment is not just a human rights issue, it is an economic failure.
- Exclusion costs the economy billions in lost productivity and untapped talent.
- Investing in disability-inclusive employment policies leads to higher workforce participation and economic growth. Providing workplace accommodations and PA supports enables disabled workers to contribute fully, increasing productivity and strengthening the economy.
“The government needs to stop seeing disabled people as a burden and start seeing us as part of the solution. Investing in employment supports and breaking down barriers benefits not just disabled people, but the entire economy. We need action now, not more reports confirming what we already know,” Des Kenny added.
ENDS