Sinn Féin’s Vision for an Inclusive Ireland
At Sinn Féin, we firmly believe that every person with a disability has the right to live a life of dignity, independence, and equality. Since Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2018, progress has been made—but not nearly enough. Many of the rights promised remain unrealised, leaving thousands of individuals and families struggling against systemic barriers.
Sinn Féin’s comprehensive plan aims to address these challenges by transforming policy into action. Through investment, legislative reform, and a commitment to inclusion, we are determined to deliver real change for people with disabilities across Ireland.
Key Takeaways
- Residential Places: Over 3,000 new spaces to promote independent living and end inappropriate placements.
- Day Services: 4,000 additional places to meet demand and support transitions from education.
- Respite Care: Doubling investment to provide families with essential relief.
- Home Care: 1.5 million additional hours annually, including expanded intensive support packages.
- Children’s Services: Clearing waiting lists through workforce expansion and interim private service funding.
- Inclusion: Doubling PAS hours, investing in accessible transport, and empowering advocacy organisations.
- Opportunities: Expanding special education, building suitable housing, enhancing employment schemes, and raising welfare supports.
The Challenges We Face
Despite existing frameworks and commitments, people with disabilities continue to face significant hurdles:
- Residential Spaces: Many are forced to live in inappropriate settings, such as nursing homes or their childhood homes, due to a lack of suitable options.
- Day Services: There are not enough places to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities, leaving families without critical support.
- Respite Care: Most families receive little to no access to respite services, exacerbating stress and burnout.
- Children’s Services: Thousands of children are waiting for vital assessments and therapies, with many languishing on lists for over a year.
- Inclusion: Barriers to accessible transport, employment, and personal assistance services prevent full societal participation.
The gaps are wide and urgent. Without action, these systemic challenges will continue to grow.
Sinn Féin’s Vision for Change
Sinn Féin is committed to tackling these challenges head-on, ensuring that every individual, regardless of ability, has the tools they need to thrive. Our strategy focuses on key areas:
1. Residential Places for Independence
People with disabilities deserve to live in accommodation suited to their needs. Current government provision is insufficient, with only 175 residential places added annually, far below the 330-500 recommended by the Disability Capacity Review.
Our Plan:
- Provide over 3,000 additional residential places during our term in government.
- Progress de-congregation to support independent living.
- Prioritise relocating younger people with disabilities from nursing homes to suitable environments.
2. Expanding Day Services
Day services are a lifeline for individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. Yet, unmet demand leaves many without support.
Our Plan:
- Add 4,000 new day service places by 2032.
- Ensure young adults transitioning from school have access to services.
3. Doubling Respite Care
Respite services provide critical relief for family carers and improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Currently, fewer than one in four people with intellectual disabilities receive any form of respite.
Our Plan:
- Double investment in respite services to include in-home, afterschool, day, and overnight options.
4. Expanding Home Care
Home care enables individuals to live in their communities while receiving the support they need. Currently, many receive fewer hours than required, or none at all.
Our Plan:
- Deliver an additional 1.5 million home care hours annually.
- Expand intensive home support packages for individuals with complex needs.
5. Supporting Children with Disabilities
Delays in assessments and therapies prevent children with disabilities from receiving the support they need to thrive. At present, over 15,000 children are waiting for contact with Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs), with 10,000 waiting over a year.
Our Plan:
- Develop a comprehensive workforce plan to recruit and retain staff for CDNTs.
- Temporarily fund private services to reduce waiting lists while building public capacity.
- Conduct an evidence-based review of the service delivery model for children’s disability services.
6. Promoting Inclusion and Accessibility
True inclusion requires access to tools and opportunities that enable full participation in society.
Our Plan:
- Double Personal Assistance Services (PAS) hours, adding 354,000 annually.
- Make public transport fully wheelchair accessible through targeted investment.
- Introduce grants for private vehicle adaptations and allowances for taxi use.
- Fund Disabled Persons’ Representative Organisations (DPROs) for advocacy and training.
7. Creating Opportunities
People with disabilities deserve equitable access to education, housing, employment, and financial support.
Our Plan:
- Hire 1,000 additional special education teachers and 1,300 Special Needs Assistants annually.
- Deliver 9,000 new public housing units suitable for people with disabilities.
- Expand the Wage Subsidy Scheme and career support initiatives for young disabled people.
- Raise disability-related welfare payments by €70 per week and abolish restrictive means tests for carers.
A Holistic Approach
Sinn Féin’s plan is not just about addressing unmet needs but creating an environment where people with disabilities can lead fulfilling lives. This includes ensuring that every child has a chance to succeed, every adult has the opportunity to contribute, and every family has the support they need to thrive.
Conclusion: A Call for Action
Our vision is clear: an Ireland where people with disabilities are supported, empowered, and valued as equals. Sinn Féin is ready to deliver the change that is long overdue. Together, we can transform Ireland into a truly inclusive society.
Join us in making this vision a reality. Share your thoughts, subscribe for updates, and advocate for disability rights. Let’s work together for an Ireland that leaves no one behind.
