At a photo call today the leaders of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Labour Party, People Before Profit-Solidarity and the Green Party called on the public to support the national protest for an Emergency €400 Payment for disabled people and carers.
The protest starts at 1.00pm on Saturday, February 28th from Parnell Square, Dublin 1 and has been called by the Irish Wheelchair Association, the Disability Federation of Ireland and Access for All, in conjunction with the Affordable Ireland Campaign.
In a joint statement the leaders said,
“An immediate €400 disability payment will be only the first step in reversing the government’s attacks on people’s living standards in Budget 2026, which left disabled people €1,400 worse off. Carers and disabled people also urgently need a permanent cost of disability payment.
“It is not acceptable, given the surplus the government has at its disposal, that disabled people, and many others too, are being forced to choose between heating and eating. It is also unacceptable that government ministers are accusing representatives of disabled people of exaggerating the hardship being faced by many. This government is out of touch and people need to come out on Saturday and send a clear message that action is needed on the cost of living”
February 28th is the first in a series of events planned by the Affordable Ireland Campaign to demand meaningful action on the cost of living, including: reductions in rents, energy and grocery prices; above-inflation increases to pay, social welfare benefits and pensions; and abolition of fees for public services, such as college, childcare, and GP care.
The Affordable Ireland Campaign is supported by
Access for All, Aontas na Mac Léinn in Éirinn, Disability Federation Ireland, Dublin Council of Trade Unions, European Anti-Poverty Network Ireland, Green Party, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed, Irish Senior Citizens Parliament, Irish Traveller Movement, Irish Wheelchair Association, Labour Party, Muslim Sisters of Eire, National Women’s Council of Ireland, People Before Profit, Postgraduate Workers Organisation, Sinn Féin, Social Democrats, Solidarity, UCD Students Union, Unite the Union