Among the most significant announcements is the introduction of a new €500 annual Cost of Disability payment, which the Government estimates will benefit approximately 240,000 people.
The introduction of a specific payment recognising the additional cost of living with a disability is an important development. However, disability organisations have warned that the amount announced falls considerably short of the actual additional costs experienced by disabled people.
The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) has described formal recognition of the cost of disability as a hard-won principle, but said €500 a year amounts to less than €10 per week. DFI estimates that the additional costs associated with disability can range from €11,046 to €15,617 each year.
Ahead of Budget 2027, DFI had called for a recurring, universal and non-taxable Cost of Disability payment of €55 per week as an interim measure. It has also raised concerns that linking the new payment to social welfare risks treating the additional costs of disability and income support as the same issue, when they are distinct challenges.
For people living with MS, additional costs can arise in many different areas, including heating and energy, transport, mobility, healthcare, medication, equipment and supports. Symptoms such as fatigue and reduced mobility can also affect a person's ability to work or increase their reliance on services and supports.
Budget 2027 also includes a €10 increase in weekly social welfare payments. Changes to the means-tested Carer’s Allowance will see the weekly income disregard increase by €150 to €1,150 for a single person, with the corresponding disregard for a couple increasing to €2,300.
MS Ireland welcomes measures that make Carer’s Allowance accessible to more families. Family members and carers play an enormously important role in supporting many people living with MS, and reducing financial barriers to accessing Carer’s Allowance is a positive step.
The weekly Fuel Allowance will also increase by €5 to €43, alongside changes to the income thresholds for the scheme.
Healthcare investment in Budget 2027
Budget 2027 provides an additional €1.6 billion in current expenditure for the Department of Health, with funding including an increase in the HSE pay budget to support frontline and community workforce growth within agreed pay budgets. Additional measures include 1.8 million home support hours and reforms to GP services, including improved out-of-hours provision.
There are also measures relating to vaccination, oral health and contraception, including free shingles vaccination for eligible immunocompromised groups and people aged 65 and over.
While additional health funding is welcome, MS Ireland is concerned by the lack of substantial new commitments specifically addressing some of the pressures that people with MS experience across the health service.
Access to timely neurology appointments, specialist MS services, rehabilitation, physiotherapy and other community-based healthcare supports remains critical for people living with MS. Long waiting times, workforce shortages and difficulties accessing services can have a direct impact on people's health, independence and quality of life.
For the MS community, investment in healthcare must ultimately translate into improved access to services and increased capacity on the ground.
More needs to be done
Budget 2027 contains some positive developments for disabled people and carers. In particular, establishing a Cost of Disability payment represents recognition by Government that living with a disability brings additional and unavoidable costs.
However, the level of that payment does not yet reflect the scale of those costs.
MS Ireland believes this must be the beginning of a longer-term approach to tackling the Cost of Disability, rather than the final measure. Future Budgets should progressively develop the payment so that it provides meaningful assistance with the additional financial pressures experienced by disabled people.
At the same time, greater focus is required on ensuring that investment in health delivers tangible improvements in access to neurological, rehabilitation and community services.
More than 11,000 people are living with MS in Ireland. MS Ireland will continue to advocate for appropriate financial supports and accessible, adequately resourced health and community services that enable people with MS to live independently and participate fully in their communities.