Navan wheelchair user highlights cost of living crisis for people with disabilities
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Navan woman Janes Fennessy pictured with Sinn Fein TDs Darren O’Rourke and Johnny Guirke during a pre-budget submission by IWA (Irish Wheelchair Association) calling on government to address the cost of disability in Budget 2026. Photo Gareth Chaney Gareth ChaneyImage 2 of 2
Caption.A Navan wheelchair user spoke out about her struggle to make ends meet as the Irish Wheelchair Association its 2026 Pre-Budget submission.
IWA member Jane Fennessy said: “I really struggle with the cost of living as I am on Disability Allowance and most of my allowance would go on bills before I even get the grocery shop.”
She urged the government for additional financial support. “I would like to see a payment on top of my disability allowance to help me live without fear of turning on my heat or electricity,”
Choosing between eating or heating is an impossible choice many people with disabilities face every winter in Ireland, and Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is calling on the Government to finally address the cost of disability in the upcoming budget.
Members and staff from the Association gathered outside Leinster House last Tuesday, including a group from Navan IWA, to hand over its 2026 Pre-Budget submission.
In its Submission, IWA is urging the Government to introduce a realistic Cost of Disability payment.
The call comes as 92 per cent of IWA members surveyed reported that they incur extra costs related to their disability. These span across equipment, heating, medical and transport, as people with disabilities often have to rely on costly taxis to get them to and from appointments.
IWA’s Advocacy Manager Joan Carthy emphasised that ‘disability poverty doesn’t happen by accident.’
The submission draws from consultation with over 700 people with disabilities nationwide and makes urgent recommendations, including: a minimum increase of €78 in the weekly Disability Allowance (from €244 to €322), a Cost of Disability Payment to reflect the extra living costs incurred by people with disabilities and pay parity for Section 39 workers, who deliver vital disability services.
The Irish Wheelchair Association is also calling for: Investment in personal assistant services, accessible housing, and transport, resources to fully implement the National Disability Strategy Plan, once issued.
Other key points reported in IWA’s survey include: 89 per cent reported that the Housing Adaptation Grant didn't cover the costs of the adaptation, 70 per cent incur medical related costs, 69 per cent incur transport related costs, 66 per cent incur equipment costs and 65 per cent incur additional heating related costs.