Inclusion Ireland

07/10/2026

Words matter. These are people’s homes, not “placements”.

When we talk about disability services, language can make people disappear behind systems, services and numbers.

A home is more than a place to live. It’s about choice, privacy, belonging, relationships and having control over your own life.

Following yesterday’s Budget 2027 announcements, we’re looking closely at what the new investment will actually mean for people with intellectual disabilities.

Swipe to see what we know so far, what we still need clarity on, and the questions we’ll be putting to the Department of Children, Disability and Equality this week.

06/10/2026

Our initial reaction to Budget 2027.

There is significant investment in disability, but the real test is what that investment means in peoples every day lives.

Does it deliver greater choice, independence and inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities and their families?

Every euro invested must pass this inclusion test.

Watch our initial reaction in the below video:

06/10/2026

Today is Budget Day 2027!

05/10/2026

Every child has the right to an inclusive education.

Ahead of Budget 2027 tomorrow, our final key ask is for Government to invest in an education system where children with intellectual disabilities are welcomed, included and supported in their local schools.

Too many children and families are still fighting for the basic right to an education that meets their needs.

Budget 2027 must help move Ireland towards a genuinely inclusive education system. One where children learn together, belong together and get the supports they need to thrive.

We are calling on Government to:

• Fund more therapists in schools and move towards smaller class sizes so teachers can better support students.

• Invest €1 million to deliver disability and human rights training for teachers delivered by Disabled Persons’ Organisations.

Read our Budget 2027 Submission and key asks here - https://www.inclusionireland.ie/news-events/inclusion-ireland-launches-budget-2027-submission-our-rights-our-voices/

02/10/2026

“Independent living needs to mean having a home and having the right support.”

In yesterday’s Irish Examiner, Sarah Jane Lavin shared her own experience of living independently and why disabled people need real choice, the right support and the opportunity to live an ordinary life in their community.

Sarah Jane waited almost a decade to get the housing she needed. Today, she has her own home, support from a personal assistant, a job in her local community and greater choice and control over her own life.

As Budget 2027 approaches, voices like Sarah Jane’s must be at the heart of decisions about disability policy and investment.

“I know it’s possible because I am living it. Now I want other people to have the same chance.”

Read Sarah Jane’s piece in the Irish Examiner here - https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41917255.html

02/10/2026

Today is the final day to fill out the Expression of Interest form to help shape the future of disability services and supports.

We especially need to hear from parents, guardians and siblings of adults with intellectual disabilities.

More information and link in the below post ⬇️

Help shape the future of disability services and supports.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is developing a new vision and strategy for disability services. Inclusion Ireland wants to make sure the experiences and views of families are heard as part of that process.

We want to hear from parents and guardians of children with intellectual disabilities, and parents, guardians and siblings of adults with intellectual disabilities.

We’ll be holding focus groups and 1:1 conversations covering different life stages, including:

• Early years – family support, community inclusion and access to services
• Ages 12–18 – preparing for adulthood, future choices and access to supports
• Adulthood – good support, housing, community inclusion and what needs to change.

You can choose the way you feel most comfortable taking part, and questions will be shared in advance.

Your experiences and views will inform a report from Inclusion Ireland to the Department. You’ll also have an opportunity to check how your contribution is represented before it is submitted.

A small stipend will be provided in recognition of your time.

Want to have your voice heard?

Read more and complete the Expression of interest form here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TXTZ9LB

01/10/2026

What does real choice and control look like for adults with intellectual disabilities?

Having the right support isn’t just about accessing a service. It’s about having the opportunity to live a good life, belong in your community and have real choice and control over your future.

Join us for 'A Question of Choice', a webinar exploring what needs to change in how care and support is provided in Ireland.

We’ll hear from Professor Damien Brennan of Trinity College Dublin, who will share findings from his research A Question of Choice? The Provision of Care for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, as well as from people with lived experience about what happens when real choices about care, support and how you live your life are not available.

📅 Wednesday, 21 October
⏰ 7.00pm - 8.00pm
💻 Online via Zoom

This webinar is for adults with intellectual disabilities, families and supporters, policy and decision makers, service providers and professionals.

Register online here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Tby-3Fn4SDqWAlh0mJ-bgA

01/10/2026

People with intellectual disabilities must be at the heart of the decisions that affect their lives.

As we approach Budget 2027, it is vital that the voices and lived experiences of people with intellectual disabilities are not just included in the conversation, but listened to.

In today’s Irish Examiner, Tomás Murphy, Co-Chairperson of the board of Inclusion Ireland, writes about his own experiences of work, housing and the additional costs of living with a disability - and why real choice matters.

“People with disabilities deserve choice; the choice to live independently, the choice to go to work, the choice to have an education, the choice to live their lives to the full.”

Read Tomás’ article in today's Irish Examiner here:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/opinion/commentanalysis/arid-41917249.html

30/09/2026

People with intellectual disabilities should have real choice about where they live, who they live with and how they are supported.

Budget 2027 must invest in housing and supports that enable people to live independently and be part of their communities.

Our key asks for Budget 2027:

- Fund supports for independent living and personal assistance to help move 300 people into their own homes.

- Fund a national future-planning system with local housing coordinators.

- Help 200 people move out of residential homes and 100 out of nursing homes.

A home is about more than having somewhere to live. It’s about choice, independence, belonging and having control over your own life.

Budget 2027 must turn the right to an ordinary life into a reality.

Read our 2027 Budget Submission and Key Asks here: https://www.inclusionireland.ie/news-events/inclusion-ireland-launches-budget-2027-submission-our-rights-our-voices/

25/09/2026

For Budget 2027, we want Government to invest in timely and accessible supports for children with intellectual disabilities and their families.

We are calling for:

➡️ Children’s Disability Network Teams to be properly resourced so assessments lead to timely access to therapy.

➡️ More family support workers across every CDNT, building on the 150 new posts funded in Budget 2026.

➡️ Investment in CAMHS-ID to deliver the HSE standard of 1 fully staffed team for every 300,000 people, with 11 staff in each team.

➡️ Rights-based, community-focused short breaks close to home, planned around each child’s interests and needs.

➡️ A nationwide statutory advocacy service for disabled children and better access to services and information for families.

Children and families should not have to wait for essential supports or continually fight to access them.

Budget 2027 must invest in the services and supports that allow children with intellectual disabilities to thrive at home, at school and in their communities.

You can read our full 2027 Budget Submission - Our Rights, Our Voices on our website here: https://www.inclusionireland.ie/media-publications/