Disability Coalition demands Emergency Winter Payment at Protest outside Leinster House

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) and Access for All, are urging the Government to introduce an immediate emergency winter payment for people with disabilities.

The call comes as the coalition held a public demonstration outside the Dáil today demanding urgent action for disabled people facing rising costs and reduced supports.

The coalition expressed deep disappointment that Budget 2026 failed to deliver a permanent Cost of Disability Payment, while taking away supports that people had relied on over the past three years. Without targeted support this winter, thousands of people with disabilities face increased hardship, isolation, and impossible choices between heating their homes and putting food on the table.

The financial reality: People are up to €1,400 worse off 

Their analysis shows that people with disabilities are up to €1,400 worse off in 2026 compared to last year, following the removal of on-off payments.

The coalition is eager to stress that “Heating versus Eating” is not a catchy slogan.

“Ireland’s winters are getting colder and costlier. The Government has ignored the urgency of introducing a permanent payment to meet the extra cost of living with a disability,” urges IWA’s National Advocacy Manager, Joan Carthy.

“An emergency, one-off winter payment would provide essential relief and help people through the coldest months.

“Disability poverty doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of a system that fails to recognise the real costs of living with a disability. Budget 2026 should have been the turning point – instead, it has turned backwards.”

DFI’s Director of Advocacy Dr Emer Begley, pointed out that the Government already acknowledges the Cost of Disability but has not taken the bare minimum action to address it.

“The Government cannot keep saying it recognises the extra Costs of Disability while taking away the very supports designed to meet them. Budget 2026 strips disabled people of up to €1,400 compared to last year. That is not prioritisation, people can’t simply budget their way out of an unequal system.”

Bernard Mulvany from Access for All also pointed out the high risks faced by disabled people, especially at this time of year. “Over the past number of years, we have consistently campaigned for measures to be introduced to permanently lift our community out of poverty.” he said

Real People behind the figures

Many people from across the coalition’s membership are being forced to choose between eating and heating.

Jane Fennessy admits that she is already using her heating sparingly because of the cost.

“I am a wheelchair user, and I can only afford to put my heating on twice a day.? I am quite cold, and I have no other choice.? I’m asking the Government to introduce an emergency payment so that people like me don’t have to worry or stress over something that should be a basic right.”

Another IWA Member in her 40s, living with her husband and daughter in her twenties, states:   “Heating, even though it’s a necessity, is more of a luxury in my house because of the cost of food and electricity. I only turn the heat on for an hour or an hour and a half in the evening. It’s shocking that people who are vulnerable and stuck in most of the time are inside, and it’s cold. It’s a fright that that’s how people have to live. Everyone is affected by it in my house.”

Immediate action is required

The group is calling on government to make good the promises they made this earlier in the year when they promised that disability was a key priority for them. Disabled people did not feel prioritised or protected by this Budget. The coalition is demanding:

• An emergency winter payment: Implement a payment of 400 euro to match the Disability support payment.
• Reinstate targeted energy credits: Restore energy credits removed in Budget 2026, targeted at those at risk of energy poverty (like disabled people) to ensure homes remain warm and habitable.

The coalition urges, “People are suffering now. We cannot wait another day — never mind another four years.” Lend your voice to this campaign by emailing your public representation through IWA’s website  www.iwa.ie/post-budget-2026