Useful Links
What are you looking for?
Just hit on the links below to bring you to the relevant section, and then click on the name of any of the organisations or bodies below to visit their websites and find out more!
Government Departments and State Bodies
National Disability Umbrella Groups
Disability Organisations
Centres for Independent Living
International Organisations
Information and Advice
Government Departments and State Bodies
Department of Education and Skills
The Special Education section of this Department is responsible for the development of policy and services for children with special educational needs. Educational provision for children with special needs is made in special schools, in special classes attached to mainstream schools,or in integrated settings in mainstream classes. The Minister for Education is Jan O’Sullivan TD.
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
The mission of this Department is to provide sustainable development, and it is responsible for areas such as housing, building regulations, local and community development, water sector reform and local government. Housing Adaptation Grants and Mobility Aid Grants for people with disabilities are made available through this Department, while it also oversees the National Housing Strategy for People with Disabilities. Part M of the Building Regulations relate to the access and use of buildings by people with disabilities. The Minister for this Department is Alan Kelly TD.
The Department of Health develops, monitors and evaluates policy on the provision of health and personal social supports and services to people with disabilities. It oversees the implementation of the National Disability Strategy and the recommendations in the Value for Money Review of Disability Services. The Minister for Health is Leo Varadkar TD. Kathleen Lynch TD is the Minister for State with responsibility for Primary Care, Social Care (Disabilities and Older People) and Mental Health.
Department of Social Protection
Disability and illness supports are made available through the Department of Social Protection. This Department is responsible for ensuring access to income support and other services, enabling active participation, promoting social inclusion, and supporting families. The Minister for Social Protection is Joan Burton.
Health Service Executive (HSE)
The HSE provides a range of services for people with intellectual, physical and sensory disabilities and autism. These services include basic health services as well as assessment, rehabilitation, income maintenance, community care and residential care.
National Disability Authority (NDA)
The NDA is the independent state body providing expert advice on disability policy and practice to the government and the public sector.
In Ireland, people are represented at multiple levels: Teachtaí Dála (TDs) in the Dáil; Senators in the Seanad; councillors at city and county level; and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Europe. This website gathers all of your representative’s contact details in one place – just enter your town or address to find the listings you need.
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National Disability Umbrella Groups
Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI)
DFI is the national support organisation for voluntary disability organisations in Ireland who provide services to people with disabilities and disabling conditions.
Independent Living Movement Ireland
The vision of Inclusion Ireland is that of people with an intellectual disability living and participating in the community with equal rights as citizens, to live the life of their choice to their fullest potential.
AsIAm.ie aims to provide a one-stop shop for the Autism community in Ireland. From providing the public and those with the condition to a portal of information about Autism,
Irish Society of Autism is a young dynamic, innovative and passionate organisation formed in 2001 which is bringing positive change into the lives of those affected by autism.
Mental Health Reform promotes improved and prioritised mental health services in Ireland.
National Federation of Voluntary Bodies (FedVol)
FedVol is the national umbrella organisation for voluntary / non-statutory agencies who provide direct services to people with an intellectual disability.
Not for Profit Business Association (NFPBA)
NFPBA is the representative body of the largest service providers in Ireland, principally to people with physical and sensory disabilities.
Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI)
NAI is the national umbrella body representing over thirty not-for-profit organisations working with people with neurological conditions and their families.
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Disability Organisations
Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD)
Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP)
Disability Equality Specialist Support Agency (DESSA)
Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI)
Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE)
Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Ireland
Muscular Dystrophy Ireland (MDI)
National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI)
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland (SBHI)
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Centres for Independent Living (CILs) in Ireland
Donegal Centre for Independent Living
Galway Centre for Independent Living
Offaly Centre for Independent Living
Donegal Centre for Independent Living
Galway Centre for Independent Living
Offaly Centre for Independent Living
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International Organisations
European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN)
European Association of Service Providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD)
European Disability Forum (EDF)
European Network on Independent Living (ENIL)
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Information and Advice
Centre for Excellence in Universal Design
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC)
National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS)
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