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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 14th April

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:30pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
7:25pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Fuel Prices

Wednesday, 15th April

10am: Private Members’ Business (Social Democrats): Motion re Tackling Soaring Energy Costs
12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
2:15pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Amendments from the Seanad

Thursday, 16th April

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Tuesday, 14th April

5pm: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Report and Final Stages
7:15pm: Health Information Bill 2024 — Report and Final Stages

Wednesday, 15th April

5pm: Government Business: Statements on Homelessness

Thursday, 16th April

11:45am: Mental Health Bill 2024 — Report and Final Stages

Committee Schedule

Wednesday, 15th April

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Vaccines – policies, availability and uptake

9:45am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Further Scrutiny of EU legislative proposal: COM / 2025 / 0842 (strengthening of the framework for occupational retirement provision)

10:45am: Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development — Welfare Supports for the Self-Employed

7pm: Joint Committee on Key Issues Affecting the Traveller Community — Traveller Accommodation

Thursday, 16th April

9:30am: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Education needs of Visually Impaired Students

9:45am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — State provided childcare places and early childcare matters

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement with Academic Experts on Legislation, Policy and Practice I

Catch up

Catch up on our most recent Oireachtas Access edition where we covered the Disability Matters Committee Report on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities, including links to the report and a recording to watch back.

📰 Catch up here.

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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a disabled-led not for profit organisation.

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📢 Reminder: Consultation on Cost of Disability Deadline Approaching Soon

The Department of Social Protection has launched a consultation on the Cost of Disability.

They want to hear your views on two topics:

1. The agenda and format for a Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit.

This will be held on the 13 May 2026, and will be a one-day event where key people and groups meet to discuss the cost of disability and help shape future strategy.

2. Your views on a cost of disability payment and how it should be designed.

📝 Submission Information

The Department would particularly like to hear from disabled people, their families and carers, their representative groups, and Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs/DPROs).

Submissions can be made in the following formats:

* Written
* Video
* Irish Sign Language
* Phone (dedicated hours and phone number available)

⏰ Deadline for submissions: 7th April 2026 (5pm)

🔗 Find full details and submission requirements here

The National Platform of Self Advocates have created a great explainer and template to support people with making a submission.

Have a look here for more information.

More updates like these over on our website www.disabilityparticipation.ie

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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a disabled-led not for profit organisation.

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💥 Our latest edition is out now!

We’ll be taking a short break next week, so wishing you all a happy Easter.🐣

Enjoy this edition, which is packed with updates and should keep you ticking over with news until we return on the 15th April.

📰 https://mailchi.mp/disabilityparticipation/disability-participation-news-hub-newsletter-6753744

Support us by sharing this edition with a friend, group chat, colleague, or your team’s Slack!

Subscribe now

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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

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Sligo Disabled Persons’ Organisation brings complaint about Sligo County Council to the Ombudsman

“Last week, the Sligo Disabled Persons’ Organisation (DPO) registered a complaint against the Sligo County Council with the Ombudsman.

The complaint concerns the consultation process for the Draft Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) Scheme.

DPO Secretary, Aisling Smith, who is also a member of the Public Participation Network (PPN) Secretariat explained, “SPCs are the main committees where the Council gets community feedback about plans and policies. Sligo DPO is part of the PPN Social Inclusion College so these social inclusion seats are how we have our voices heard on the plans and policies that affect us”

DPO Chairperson Ruth Flood said, “We made a reasonable request for a PPN social inclusion voice on every SPC. When this request was refused, we wrote to the council more than once to ask, ‘why?’ but they refused to answer that question. This took our members down a long process of back and forth with the Council, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, a formal complaint to the Council, and ultimately an ombudsman complaint. This is a testament to the tenacity of Sligo DPO members in realising our rights but it’s absurd the lengths our members must go to get a simple answer to a simple question. Community voices should be listened to, and where not, we are entitled to understand the reason for it.

“Specifically, the FOI showed that there were 19 submissions to this consultation. The guidance for the Consultation said that the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) and the Council Executive was supposed to review the submissions and make any amendments. Instead, the Council Executive reviewed the submissions and made amendments alone. The first time the CPG and the councillors saw any of the submissions was one working day before they were asked to approve the new draft scheme. This is an exercise of executive dictatorship where decisions are rubber-stamped rather than the mindful consideration that the process guidance required.”

Sligo DPO public relations officer, Pippa Black referenced the United Nations Convention on the rights of disabled people saying, “We have the right to be consulted, through our representative organisations on matters that affect us. We took this to the Ombudsman because we have a right to participate in these decisions and to see our recommendations reflected in the outcome of decision-making processes. When that does not happen, we have a right to reasons. This was completely denied throughout this process

“These SPCs exist to support community involvement in Council policy-making. And yet, the way this consultation itself was carried out, the Council executive has demonstrated its disregard for meaningful public consultation as well as showing a level of disrespect for the volunteer time put into making these submissions in good faith. We hope the Ombudsman will hold the Council to a higher standard for consultation and remind them of their duty to uphold our UN Convention rights.”

Keep up to date with Sligo DPO’s work here.
You can contact Sligo DPO by emailing: sligodpo@gmail.com

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Dáil Recess

The Dáil is on their Easter break for the next fortnight, so a shorter update for you today and a break from us next week.

We have some updates from the Disability Matters Committee below to keep you ticking over for now. Expect us back on the 13th April with your next Oireachtas Access Edition.

Our usual newsletter will be out this Wednesday, so we will be back in your inboxes then!

Committee Report on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities

The Joint Committee on Disability Matters met last Wednesday, 25th March, for the launch of their Report on Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities.

In an opening statement launching the report, Cathaoirleach Maurice Quinlivan noted that the Committee had undertaken the report while being conscious of Ireland’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), especially Article 24, which sets out the right to education.

“Many witnesses spoke of the dedication and commitment of teachers, SNAs, therapists and principals who consistently strive to meet the needs of children, often in the face of structural challenges. However, the evidence also demonstrates that Ireland now requires a more coherent, integrated and rights-based approach to inclusive education — one that is fully aligned with the UNCRPD and guided by the lived experience of disabled people”

The report covers the input from four public meetings and ten submissions on the topic, including those from Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs). It aims to recognise the progress made and barriers that remain.

A comprehensive set of findings and thirty three recommendations have been made by the Committee. They have been grouped into thematic areas, in line with the UNCRPD and international best practice.

The thematic groups are listed below:

*Legislative and Strategic Reform
*Needs-Based Supports and Assessments
*Access to SLT, OT, Psychology, AAC and Behaviour Supports
*Communication Rights and Irish Sign Language (ISL)
*Inclusive Teaching and Curriculum, Reduced Timetables and Exclusion
*Early Years Inclusion and Transitions Interagency Coordination
*Data and Monitoring
*Governance and Funding
*Wellbeing, Family Support and Mental Health

📺 Catch up on the video of the launch here.
The video begins at the 11:25 minute mark and does not currently have Irish Sign Language Interpretation.

📝You can also find the report in PDF format here.

More information as always over on the Committee for Disability Matters Oireachtas webpage.

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Listen to this article by opening it in your browser or Substack app.

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[Image: A graphic with a black background featuring the words “Spotlight Series” in colourful, cut-out magazine-style letters. Below, white text reads: “This week we are chatting with…Emma Ward.” An image of Emma Ward sits beside this text surrounded by a gold frame. Images beneath this text include a megaphone, an open book, flowers, and a Disability Pride flag. The Disability Participation News Hub logo appears in the top right corner.]

💡 Spotlight Series: Emma Ward

We are on a mission to get to know and highlight Ireland’s activists, advocates and allies!

Each month, we will aim the spotlight on incredible changemakers working to advance the human rights of disabled people across Ireland.

We are delighted to share our first Spotlight edition with you featuring our very own, Emma Ward!

A reminder that you can listen to this edition through the Substack app, or by opening this edition on your browser.

Become a paid subscriber to have early access to our Spotlight Series each month by using the Subscribe button below.

Enjoy this edition and we will be in touch soon! ✨

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About Emma

Emma (she/her) is a disabled Irish Traveller, writer, freelance journalist and disability rights activist who is dedicated to breaking barriers and amplifying underrepresented voices.

Emma’s writing draws on intersectionality of identities and how this impacts types of discrimination. Her work centres on disability, intersectional identity, and social justice.

Learn more about Emma below and be sure to connect with her on socials or follow her work on Substack!

Q. Hello Emma! Tell us a little about yourself.

Emma: I am a disabled Irish Traveller from Galway. I am a disability rights activist, and a freelance journalist. Professionally I love writing, chatting to people and learning about their stories. I especially love it when I’m able to give those people a platform to share their voices and stories. I love being part of the movement of making Ireland better for the next generation of people with disabilities, personally I am a huge music and book lover! If you know me in person, you’ll know I’m never without a book (physical or on my kindle) or listening to a song no matter what.

Q. Is there anything you’re working on at the minute?

Emma: I am, I’m working on a project that I can’t speak about just yet but it’s an exciting opportunity. I’m also working on building my journalism portfolio by writing more articles about many different topics and people. I recently launched my new at home podcast called What’s Happening with Emma on Spotify and Patreon.

Q. Anything you are looking forward to this year?

Emma: I’m looking forward to a lot of things professionally and personally but the one thing that springs to my mind is the project I’m working on; I can’t wait until it’s announced. I’m also looking forward to the Disability Participation News Hub’s new book club!

Q. What keeps you motivated in your activism?

Emma: . I know this is a typical and cliche answer but my nephew Patrick is what keeps me motivated, he’s the reason I became an activist and as he gets older he reminds me to be motivated to make positive change for him and the younger generation of people with disabilities.

Q. What’s your favourite way to unwind and look after your own wellbeing?

Emma: Read a book or watch a movie! Reading is my favorite way of winding down, when you read your imagination literally transports you into a different world and makes you relax in a sense!

Q. Anything people might be surprised to learn about you?

Emma: When I was 8 years old I had halo traction treatment for scoliosis and got the halo removed from my skull being conscious (according to a nurse, I was the first child to do this but I don’t know if that’s really true or not).

When people first meet me I can be really shy! Once I get comfortable though I’m a chatterbox who you’d wish would shut up!

I don’t know if this is a fun fact but due to having a bone marrow transplant, I have two types of blood - Irish and Liverpool!

I’ve spoken at Electric Picnic with Amnesty Ireland!

Q. Any book recommendations for our online Book Club this year?

Emma: Never Know Your Place by Joanna Marsdan and Martin Naughton!

Mixed Up - Leon Diop!

Binding 13 - Chloe Walsh (my absolute favorite fiction book - I recommended it to everyone!)

Q. Do you have a favourite quote or saying that inspires you?

Emma: Nothing’s Impossible, even the word says I’m Possible

Q. Where can people find you if they’d like to follow your work?

Emma: You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Bluesky @emmawardjournalist and follow this link to my Substack and other updates on the work I do: https://linktr.ee/emmawardjournalist

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Catch us back here next month with another Spotlight edition!

In the meantime…
📬 Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter every Wednesday.
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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

[Image: A graphic with a black background featuring the words “Spotlight Series” in colourful, cut-out magazine-style letters. Below, white text reads: “Getting to know Ireland’s activists, advocates and allies.” Images beneath this text include a megaphone, an open book, flowers, and a Disability Pride flag. The Disability Participation News Hub logo appears in the bottom right corner.]

💡Coming Soon: Activist Spotlight Series

We are on a mission to get to know and highlight Ireland’s activists, advocates and allies!

Each month, we will aim the spotlight on incredible changemakers working to advance the human rights of disabled people across Ireland.

Our first “Spotlight” will be released this Friday to our paid subscribers on Substack, and then made available in our Wednesday newsletter for all next week.

You can become a paid subscriber by clicking the “Subscribe Now” button below.
Your support helps us keep the lights on as a small non profit powered by volunteers.

Make sure you are signed up to our weekly Wednesday newsletter for more advocacy updates and news.

We’ll be in touch soon! ✨

Subscribe now

📬 Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter every Wednesday.
🌱 Donate here or become a paid subscriber to support our work.
☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
🤝 Become an Access Ally here.

The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

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📢 Our latest edition is out now!

This edition includes updates on consultations, CRPD elections, ongoings in the Oireachtas, and much more!

We also have a little reminder about our online Book Club, which kicks off next month 📚

Next week, we’ll be launching an exciting new monthly series…keep an eye on our website and socials for more!

📰 Catch up on our latest edition here

More over on www.disabilityparticipation.ie 🔗

Subscribe now

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📬 Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter every Wednesday.
🌱 Donate here or become a paid subscriber to support our work.
☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
🤝 Become an Access Ally here.

The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Tuesday, 24th March

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:30pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
7:20pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Cancer Services

Wednesday, 25th March

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
6:45pm: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 — Report and Final Stages

Thursday, 26th March

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
1:50pm: Statements on the Bessborough Development
5:15pm: Private Members’ Bill: Organisation of Working Time (Leave for Health Screening Purposes) Bill 2025 — Second Stage

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 25th March

1pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Report and Final Stages

Thursday, 26th March

11:45am: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026 — All Stages
and
Motion re the earlier signature of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026

Committee Schedule

Tuesday, 24th March

11am: Joint Committee on Artificial Intelligence — Justice and Law Enforcement (ii)

3pm: Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration — Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of a General Scheme: Civil Reform Bill 2025

6pm: Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage — Housing Crisis in the Gaeltachta

Wednesday, 25th March

9:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Issues related to the completion of the National Children’s Hospital and preparations for bringing it into use

10:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Report Launch - Inclusive Education for Persons with Disabilities

12:45pm: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — Education needs of Visually Impaired Students

Thursday, 26th March

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Civil society perspectives on legislation, policy and practice

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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

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📬 Our latest edition is out now!

Catch up on Consultations, Oireachtas Updates, DPO News and much more.

We’ve also launched out News Hub Book Club! 📚✨

🔗 Find this week’s edition here.

Subscribe now

Subscribe using the button above to receive our Oireachtas Access bulletin every Monday.

📬 Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter every Wednesday.
🌱 Donate here or become a paid subscriber to support our work.
☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
🤝 Become an Access Ally here.

The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

[Image: a rectangular graphic with a pink and yellow faded background and white stars scattered around the image. Text reads: “News Hub Book Club”. An illustration of a row of books with flowers and plants growing from them is at the centre of the graphic. The logos for the West Midlands Credit Union and Disability Participation News Hub are at the bottom of the image.]

News Hub Book Club 2026

Our News Hub Book Club aims to create an online space to celebrate and connect with disabled writers, poets, academics and creatives each month.

Join from the comfort of your own home and expect everything from sci-fi to poetry and academic articles!

Open to disabled people and allies - all welcome ✨

We are delighted and grateful to be supported by the West Midlands Credit Union for this project.

If you would like to support us to ensure essential access costs such as ISL interpretation, book bundles and more, please reach out to our team to make a donation or become a sponsor at info@disabilityparticipation.ie ❤️

[Image: a rectangular graphic with a pink and yellow faded background and white stars scattered around the image. Text reads: “News Hub Book Club. Featuring Liadh Moloney. Date: Saturday, 25th April. Time: 7pm. Venue: Zoom. ISL Interpretation. Register via Eventbrite”. An illustration of a row of books with flowers and plants growing from them is along the bottom of the images along with the logos for the West Midlands Credit Union and Disability Participation News Hub.]

Join Session #1 of the News Hub Book Club, featuring Liadh Moloney!

Join us from the comfort of your own home for our first News Hub Book Club Session with poet and alt-pop singer, Liadh Moloney!

Our News Hub Book Club is a celebration of disabled and neurodivergent authors, writers, poets and creators.

Disabled people and allies are all welcome to join us for these relaxed online sessions.

Come along to hear from Liadh about her work and writing, connect with others and share your thoughts.

Our read this month: “Control” by Liadh Moloney

“’Control’ is an alt-pop track with elements of synth and disco, about my struggle to control my own mind and search for oblivion. At this time of my life, I was repressing a lot of my emotions and coping in unhealthy ways. In this way, my search for control ended up controlling me.

But ‘Control’ is also a mantra - a way to ground myself. I’d love for this song to help others escape their minds and feel present in their bodies, even if for a moment.”

Find the poem/text version of control, along with the audio version on Leah’s bandcamp page here.

Control - Youtube Link

Find Leah’s music, including “Control” on Spotify.

About Liadh

Liadh (Lee-ah) is a poet and alt-pop singer from Athlone. With a background in psychology and a fascination for the human mind and behaviour, Liadh writes about topics including sobriety, illness, mental health and neurodiversity. She is gearing up for the release of her debut EP Illusions, a project which explores the deceptions, distortions and myths of the mind.

Liadh was a recipient of the 2024 Brinsley McNamara Bursary from Westmeath County Council. Fluent in Irish and French, she has already broken into the French music scene - last summer, she performed a number of gigs in France and toured England with French arts organisation ‘Bodies of Work Paris’. Her singles have received nationwide airplay including from Spin 103.8, Cork’s 96FM, Today FM, iRadio, Shannonside and Midlands 103. Liadh is known for her powerful and theatrical stage presence, reminiscent of Kate Bush and Marina (and the Diamonds).

Her poem ‘A curse written with invisible ink’, about her experience seeking help for endometriosis, was recently published in ‘SEEN: A poetry anthology about hidden disabilities and conditions’, edited by Michael Isaacs.

Book Club Details

Date: Saturday, 25th April
Time: 7pm -8pm
Venue: via Zoom
Cost: Free
Registration: Register through our Eventbrite page or email info@disabilityparticipation.ie.

Access Information

*ISL interpretation available
*Closed Captions available via Zoom
*Cameras optional
*No one will be asked to read aloud or speak during the session
*Chat function will be turned off , Q&A function will be available, dedicated team member and mentimeter link available to share thoughts.

Please reach out to our team at info@disabilityparticipation.ie for any access needs we can support with.

Note:
*Please also note that this is an LGBTQIA+ affirming, anti-racist and neuroaffirming space.
*Spaces for this event are capped to allow for engagement and facilitation of the sessions - make sure you book your space!

We are grateful to West Midlands Credit Union for their support on this series.

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Dáil Éireann (live link)

Wednesday, 18th March

2pm: Leaders’ Questions
2:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
3:10pm: Taoiseach’s Questions
3:30pm: Statements on International Women’s Day
5:50pm: Private Members’ Business (Sinn Féin): Motion re Energy and Fuel Costs

Thursday, 19th March

12pm: Leaders’ Questions
12:45pm: Questions on Policy or Legislation
5:30pm: Private Members’ Business (Independent Technical Group): Motion re Structural Reform of Child Welfare Governance

Seanad Éireann (Live Link)

Wednesday, 18th March

3:45pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Committee Stage

Thursday, 19th March

12:15pm: International Protection Bill 2026 — Committee Stage (resumed)

Committee Schedule

Wednesday, 18th March

9:30am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Pre-legislative scrutiny of a general scheme: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny - Assessment of Need (Part 1)

10:45am: Joint Committee on Disability Matters — Pre-legislative scrutiny of a general scheme: Pre-Legislative Scrutiny - Assessment of Need (Part 2)

10:30am: Joint Committee on Health — Access to health services and treatments for allergies

Thursday, 19th March

9:30am: Joint Committee on Children and Equality — State provided childcare places and early childcare matters

9:45am: Joint Committee on Education and Youth — The Provision of Special Education

12:30pm: Select Committee on Disability Matters — Committee Stage Consideration: Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026

12:30pm: Joint Committee on Drugs Use — Engagement on Civil society perspectives on legislation, policy and practice

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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

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💥 We’re back!

After a week off, we are back with a jam-packed edition and catching you up on news, events and activism updates taking place across Ireland.

A special thanks to all who have kept us in the loop and sent in news for this edition as we settle back in - always a group effort!

📰 Catch up here: https://mailchi.mp/disabilityparticipation/disability-participation-news-hub-newsletter-6753357

Sign up to have it delivered to you every week 📬https://mailchi.mp/3ce7ca8f3fc3/disability-participation-news-hub

Subscribe now

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📬 Sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter every Wednesday.
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☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
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The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

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CEDAW Update

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) want to hear from you as they create a draft general recommendation on gender stereotypes.

Deadline to make a submission: 6th April 2026

More details on submission requirements here.

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The Oireachtas schedules are clear this week, but we have got a few bits for you to catch up on in the meantime.

Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025.

The Committee on Disability Matters held three sessions over two days last week on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025.

Session #1, held on the 3rd March, heard from representatives from Disabled Persons’ Organisations Disabled Women Ireland and AsIAm on the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Assessment of Need structure and process.

Find the opening statement by Disabled Women Ireland here in (PDF) format.
Find the opening statement by AsIAm here in PDF format.

Session #2, held on the same day, heard from representatives from Disability Federation Ireland, St. Gabriel’s Foundation and Enable Ireland on the same topic.

Find the opening statement by Disability Federation Ireland here in PDF format.
Find the opening statement by Enable Ireland here in PDF format.

Both sessions are available through the same recording link here - no ISL version available at this date.

Session #3 was held on the 4th March, with representatives from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office, The Psychological Society of Ireland and the Centre for Disability Law and Policy of the University of Galway.

Find the opening statement from the Centre for Disability Law and Policy of the University of Galway in PDF format.

Find the opening statement from The Psychological Society of Ireland in PDF format here.

Find the opening statement from the Ombudsman for Children’s Office in PDF format here.

Find the recording of Session #3 through this link - no ISL version available at this date.

Provision of Special Education and the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Allocation Review

The Committee on Education and Youth, which shadows the Department of Education and Youth, also met last week on the Provision of Special Education and the Special Needs Assistant (SNA) Allocation Review.

The Committee heard from representatives from the Department of Education and Youth and National Council for Special Education.

Find the opening statement from the CEO of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in PDF format here.

Find the opening statement from the Principal Officer of Special Education in the Department of Education and Youth in PDF format.

You can find the recording of this session here - no ISL version available at this date.

Bills for Discussion

And finally, some Bills that continued through the Oireachtas last week included:

Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2026
International Protection Bill 2026
Health Information Bill 2024

As always, we will have more news on consultations and advocacy in our newsletter this week - make sure you are signed up to receive it directly to your inbox!

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☕ Buy us a Coffee here.
🤝 Become an Access Ally here.

The Disability Participation News Hub CLG is a not for profit organisation.

The first poem, “Breaking Silence”, encouraged our participants at the event to share their stories and boldly name their experiences in a space with their peers, where they would be heard and respected.

An Irish Sign Language (ISL) translation of the poem is available below as well as an audio version read by Alice.

Alice created a second poem titled “Eradicating Poverty”, inspired by the discussions, artwork and participant feedback from the event.

You’ll find this poem below in text and audio format, also read by Alice.

We are so grateful to the participants and volunteers who took part on the day and shared their reality and what is needed to create change.

A huge thank you to Alice for so beautifully capturing the discussions and energy of the event and creating these pieces for us to share with you.

We hope that this International Women’s Day they serve as a reminder of the power of creating these bold and honest spaces, where disabled women and people are leading change.

Follow Disabled Women Ireland here and keep up with their work on the DWI website.
Find Alice over on Instagram @theautisticpoetess.

Find more highlights from this event, including artwork and participant feedback over on our Disabled Women & Poverty Page.

Breaking Silence

By Alice Doyle

The universe honours brave.
Today, if you share who you are,
the costs of disability,
the costs of exclusion
or the barriers to your employment
for the first time,
the second or the tenth,
we will witness your courage
and hear your words.
Being who we are
in a an ever tightening
neuronormative world
is living courage.

There are so many people,
spaces and places that seek
to diminish our unique voices,
to control and define the boundaries
in which we exist,
the way in which we live,
to determine the limits of our needs,
the level of supports,
the finance available or lack thereof,
the levels of accessibility
that could enable us
or disable us to participate
fully and easily in all parts of life.

We are women.
We are disabled women
and non-binary people.
Our needs matter.
Our autonomy matters.
We can determine our own truth.
If or when we need support, we can ask.
Supports need to meet us where we are.
They need to be appropriate, timely,
available and easily accessible.
Let us name the supports we need.
Let us speak about
the cost of disability and gender,
about parenting, disability and gender
about enabling financial independence
for disabled women and non-binary people.

Let us share our lived experiences,
name the obstacles we meet,
the systemic barriers,
the infringements on our liberty,
the fences we must climb
or tear down just to be.
Let us name the everyday invisible sufferings,
the tasks that challenge us,
the barriers that fence us out
of employment and of full participation in life.
Let us name the words that harm us,
gaslight us and reduce our beings
to depersonalised, voiceless statistics.

For in silence, we suffer invisibly.
So, let us name the effects of poverty
and the opportunities for change.
For when named,
we see them more clearly.
And when seen,
a new beginning becomes possible,
change becomes imaginable
and a different future
can be envisioned for all.

ISL Interpretation of “Breaking Silence” by Alice Doyle

Audio Version of “Breaking Silence” by Alice Doyle

Word Doc Version of “Breaking Silence” by Alice Doyle

🔗 Find the Word Doc version of Breaking Silence here.

Eradicating Poverty

By Alice Doyle

To eradicate poverty, we must see it clearly,
understand what it is and how it happens in the context of
the cost of disability and gender,
the cost of parenting, disability and gender
and enabling financial independence
for disabled women and non-binary people.

Poverty and exclusion exist within the lines drawn by others.
These lines are often shaped by decisions made
by those who are not poor or, sometimes,
by those with no experience of disability.
Every choice, every plan, every decision made by others
without core experience and understanding of the lives
of disabled women and non-binary people
has the potential to cause more damage,
to raise the barriers to full participation in life
and to increase the unseen costs of exclusion.

I listened to the words you shared.
I see and experience the decisions made by others,
how they shape, separate and divide us,
how they limit our full access to life,
to care, to work and to facilities
and how they deny equality.

I see how within those lines,
our core truth and experience lie hidden.
How its shape is defined and languaged by others,
how its expression lacks a permission slip,
a witness or audience that fully hears
who and how we are and what we need.
These lines cause poverty.
Each line shapes differently,
each affects a chapter of a life
which bears the cost of exclusion.

True equality begins with financial freedom, choice and autonomy.
These lines can create their own structure and shape,
can determine their own future,
pick their pen, choose their ink,
when to write and when to stop.
We, however, have had to choose what we can afford,
while others limit what we can access.
Choice is often a luxury that lies outside our lines.
The lens through which we see and experience
our world is limited by poverty.

Let us name the additional costs
that disabled women and non-binary people
face compared with non-disabled people.
The additional costs of housing, gender related medical care,
transport, education, heating, PA support
and of trying to stay safe.
The further costs of older age, of living alone,
of paying for everyday household tasks to be done.
The mental and physical health effects of isolation,
of neither being listened to nor seen
and of experiencing digital exclusion.

Let us name the impacts of disability and gender.
That disability and gender are fundamental
to how we experience inequality.
How because of gendered expectations of behaviour,
disabled women don’t want to be seen as the problem.
That how we live as women is affected by sexism and misogyny
and how intersectional marginalisations result in
further discrimination, disadvantage and oppression.

Let us name the costs of disability and gender.
The personal, financial, social, mental and physical health costs
of trying to be believed about our lived experience of our own bodies.
The strain and exhaustion of medical gaslighting
and misogyny in disability and health services
and of not being taken seriously.
The costs of accessing gender related care,
of accessing diagnosis and the lack of financial support
for essential equipment, medical care and
alternative therapies that support us.

The emotional, physical and financial costs of reproductive healthcare
and of maternity, endometriosis and menopause care
and how these are dismissed more for disabled people.
The costs and impact of diagnostic overshadowing,
diagnostic delays and how they reduce our health outcomes.
The physical and mental toll on disabled people
resulting from the lack of trauma informed services.
The costs of sexual violence and the impact of not being believed.

Let us name the gendered challenges to earning money.
The lack of PA support that could allow us
to participate fully in society and in work.
The lack of appropriate access to educational opportunities
that would grow us, and enable us to earn more.

The lack of reasonable accommodations for work and the risk
of speaking up to ask for better, especially in a new job.
The impact of multiple medical appointments on work and education.
The limited available employment market for disabled people,
particularly those with childcare responsibilities.

The lack of employment opportunities for people with dynamic disabilities.
The effect on our future income and pensions
by being in and out of the workplace.
The gender pay gap and disability pay gap.
Workplace discrimination against mental health diagnoses.
It is against the law to discriminate, but they still do.
That access to work can be caused by discrimination, not by disability.
Embodied ableism and the lack of acceptance of lifelong disability.

Let us name the gendered challenges to accessing disability benefits.
The lack of recognition of the costs of disability when assessing means.
Means testing of spousal income.
The time, energy, health and financial costs
of navigating exhausting systems and processes
to access disability supports and benefits.
That when you are disabled and have assets,
your access to support is limited or none at all.

Let us name the other forms of poverty that affect
disabled women and non-binary people.
How lack of personal assistance, inadequate financial, educational
and healthcare supports create social, cultural and civil poverty,
limit full participation in life, work, politics and advocacy and, thereby,
reduces the visibility of disabled women and non-binary people
and creates further barriers to effecting much needed change.

Let us name what needs to change.
We need person-centred, flexible services that facilitate remote access
and dedicated disability people in services, education and employment.
Disability knowledge needs to be embedded in practice.
Collaboration and co-creation with disabled people is key.
Improved employability services that support disabled people
to find and keep better paid jobs.
Implement cost of disability payments and eliminate mean testing.
Support access to childcare, and work flexibility.

We were not silent.
We were not invisible here.
We were seen.
We were heard and we were listened to.
We named the costs and effects of poverty,
the barriers to accessing quality employment and education
and what needs to change.
Now that they are named, we see them more clearly
and when seen, it allows us to ask for better
for disabled women and non-binary people.
May this be a new beginning where better is expected
so that a healthier, more inclusive and financially sustainable future
can be envisioned for all.

Audio Version of “Eradicating Poverty” by Alice Doyle

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News Hub Book Club 2026 - Coming Soon! 📚

Our News Hub Book Club will create an online space to celebrate and connect with disabled writers, poets, academics and creatives each month.

Join from the comfort of your own home and expect everything from sci-fi to poetry and academic articles!

Open to disabled people and allies - all welcome 🌱

We are delighted and grateful to be supported by the West Midlands Credit Union for this project.

If you would like to support us to ensure essential access costs such as ISL interpretation, book bundles and more, please reach out to our team to make a donation or become a sponsor at info@disabilityparticipation.ie ❤️

Keep an eye on our socials for more details coming soon ✨

Until next time!

Le gach dea ghuí,
The News Hub Team.

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We’re taking a short break, but we’ll be back in action next week with your advocacy updates 📬

Dear Reader,

A quick note to let you know that we will be taking a short break this week from our usual weekly updates for some much needed R&R.

Expect us back on the 9th March with your next Oireachtas Access Bulletin and the 11th March for your next Newsletter.

If you’re not already on our Wednesday newsletter mailing list, you can sign up here to have this delivered directly to you each week.

📰 Catch up on last week’s edition here.

Head over to our website www.disabilityparticipation to learn more about our work and projects.

You can also support our work by buying us a coffee or becoming an Access Ally

☕ Buy Us a Coffee
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Until next time!

Le gach dea ghuí,
The News Hub Team.

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⏰ Consultation Deadlines Approaching Soon!

Some consultations with deadlines taking place over the next week:

• Online public community safety survey to inform the development of the first National Strategy for Improving Community Safety - 27th February

• National Conversation on Future of Education - 28th February

• Public Consultation on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025 - 3rd March

• Access to Cash Consultation Papers - 4th March

• Public consultation on draft National Guidance for the Responsible and Safe use of Artificial Intelligence in Health and Social Care Services - 5th March

Head over to our dedicated live consultation page for a full list and links to more information 👇

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📰 Latest Edition Out Now!

📢 Our latest edition is out now!

Along with your usual advocacy update, we have some very exciting News Hub Updates to share with you.

👉 https://mailchi.mp/disabilityparticipation/disability-participation-news-hub-newsletter-6753183

We will be taking a short break next week from our usual weekly newsletter for some much needed R&R.

Expect us back on the 9th March with your next Oireachtas Access Bulletin and the 11th March for your next Newsletter.

In the meantime, we have a jam-packed newsletter to keep you going.

Until next time! 🏖️

#Newsletter #Advocacy #HumanRights #UNCRPD #DisabilityAdvocacy #Participation

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