The Social Democrats today called on the government to immediately introduce an emergency winter payment of €400 for people with disabilities.
The call was made at briefing in Leinster House this morning, which was attended by representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland, Access for All Ireland, and the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Speaking at the event, the party’s disability spokesperson Liam Quaide said:
“Disabled people are under real financial pressure. They face major additional costs when it comes to healthcare, transport, energy, housing, equipment and other supports needed for daily living.
“Too often, they are forced to choose between basic necessities like heating their home and putting food on the table.
“Yet, instead of easing this pressure, Budget 2026 left disabled people €1,400 worse off compared to last year. This was an indefensible political decision.
“Prior to the budget, the Social Democrats had proposed an €80 per month cost of disability payment, in addition to a €15 weekly rise in Disability Allowance. Combined, these measures would have increased disabled people’s incomes by over €1,800 per year.
“Disabled people cannot afford further delays. That is why, following a campaign led by a coalition of disability organisations, we are today calling on the government to immediately introduce an emergency winter payment of €400 for disabled people. We also want to see a clear, time-bound commitment for the introduction of a permanent cost of disability payment that addresses the serious and ongoing financial burden of living with a disability.”
Eoin Hayes TD, the party’s social protection spokesperson, said:
“Ireland is a country that should take care of its most vulnerable citizens, including disabled people who often must fight for the most basic services and supports.
“At a time of bumper corporation tax receipts, the government is choosing to leave disabled people out in the cold for another winter. Their own programme for government calls for the introduction of a permanent cost of disability payment – something they failed to deliver in their first budget.
“Organisations representing disabled people should not be put in a position where they have to ask for emergency measures just to get their members through the winter. An emergency payment of €400 is the minimum of what’s now required until such a time that a permanent cost-of-disability measure is put in place.”
January 14, 2026