Harmon criticises Government for failing to deliver for Disability in Budget 2026
Harmon criticises Government for failing to deliver for Disability in Budget 2026 - The Labour Party
Labour spokesperson for Disability Senator Laura Harmon has condemned the lack of support for disabled people in today’s budget. Speaking following the publication of Budget 2026, Senator Harmon said:
“Both the Programme for Government and the positively received National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People held commitments to improve upon systematic issues impacting disabled people. However, with this Budget, Government is sending a clear signal that this is simply not a priority for them.
“Labour’s Alternative Budget 2026 included a Cost of Disability payment starting at €25 a week. This would work to offset the costs incurred when accessing disability services. The Cost of Disability payment is something that has been recommended to Government by countless advocacy groups across the island. It is saddening that today they have chosen the easy way out, leaving disabled people to carry the burden of this broken system.
“The combination of neglecting to introduce the recommended Cost of Disability payment and the lack of one-off payments will hit the disabled community hard.
“The cost-of-living crisis, largely overlooked in all elements of this budget, hits cohorts like disabled people the hardest. Ireland has one of the lowest employment rates for people with disabilities about a 20-percentage point difference than the EU average. Government’s failure to support people in this situation is disgraceful. Employment should be accessible to all, and disabled people must be sufficiently supported to enable this.”
With Budget 2026 failing to include improvements on Housing Adaptation Grants for disabled people, Senator Harmon has said:
“The cost of disability intersects with the housing crisis in countless ways. An increase of this kind would alleviate the financial burden placed on disabled people and their families in securing an accessible home. Despite standing over this housing crisis, FF and FG are neglecting to cater for those most affected by it.
“A 50% increase in the Housing Adaptation Grant funding is accounted for in Labour’s alternative budget. This kind of change would be transformative to people with additional needs, their families, and carers.”