DUBLIN — Thousands of disability rights activists and carers are expected to descend on Dublin City centre this afternoon, Saturday, February 28, 2026, for a major national protest against the “devastating” impact of the government’s latest budget. The demonstration, scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM at the Garden of Remembrance, calls for an immediate €400 emergency payment to prevent vulnerable households from falling into deeper poverty this winter.
Organized by a powerful coalition including the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), and Access for All, the march follows what campaigners describe as a “fiscal betrayal” in Budget 2026.
The “€1,400 Shortfall”
The core of the dispute centers on the removal of several one-off cost-of-living supports that were present in previous budgets but omitted from the 2026 financial plan. According to advocacy groups:
- The Income Gap: Disabled people are facing a shortfall of up to €1,400 this year due to the loss of the Disability Support Grant and various energy credits.
- Inflationary Pressure: With the cost of specialized equipment, heating, and transport rising, advocates argue that the 32.5% “at risk of poverty” rate for disabled individuals is set to skyrocket.
- Delayed Promises: While the government has pledged a permanent Cost of Disability payment for 2027, campaigners argue that families “cannot heat their homes with promises” and require an emergency injection of funds today.
Political and Social Solidarity
The protest has galvanized a rare display of total unity among Ireland’s opposition parties. In a joint statement, the leaders of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Labour Party, People Before Profit, and the Green Party condemned the government’s decision to withhold supports despite a record multi-billion euro state surplus.
“It is a political choice to leave disabled people choosing between heating and eating,” the leaders stated. “In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, forcing people into enforced deprivation is unacceptable.”
Logistics and Route
The march will proceed from Parnell Square down O’Connell Street—a route chosen for its accessibility—before concluding at The Custom House. Organizers have stressed that the march will be slow-paced to accommodate all mobility needs, with a secondary meeting point at the Custom House for those unable to complete the 1.5km route.
As Dublin prepares for the second major disability rights demonstration in recent days, the message to Leinster House is clear: the community is no longer willing to accept “survival mode” as a standard of living.
Government Buildings, Dublin, Ireland by David Kernan
