Irish study identifies financial and canvassing barriers for disabled political candidates

Posted on: 25 February 2025

The first Irish study of disabled political candidates has identified financial costs and difficulty canvassing as among the many systemic barriers facing disabled candidates who wish to participate in political life in Ireland

Other systemic barriers identified by the research include inaccessibility of the built environment, information and communication, negative attitudes, fear of violence, insufficient financial resources, and lack of support. 

The small-scale qualitative research focused on the experiences of disabled candidates who identified as holding intersecting identities and who stood in the Irish local and European elections in 2024. It was conducted by researchers in University of Galway and Trinity College Dublin and funded under the National Disability Authority Research Promotion Scheme.

Professor Eilionóir Flynn, Centre for Disability Law and Policy at University of Galway, explained: 

“As people from more diverse backgrounds start to pursue careers in elected politics, it is essential to ensure that a wide range of disabled people, including working class disabled people, LGBTQ+ disabled people, disabled Travellers, disabled women and disabled people from ethnic minorities, have accessible pathways into political life. 

“Our research demonstrates the barriers these communities face and the action needed to increase the diversity of our elected representatives.”    

The research involved in-depth interviews with seven disabled political candidates with intersecting identities, and representatives from eight organisations representing migrant, LGBTQ+ and Traveller communities, disabled people’s organisations, and education and training organisations. The full report can be found here on the National Disability Authority's website. 

Key findings:

• Systemic barriers were identified including barriers related to inaccessibility of the built environment, information and communication, negative attitudes, fear of violence, insufficient financial resources, and lack of support. 
• Canvassing was named as a major issue for many, including the ability to get to people’s front doors. Safety whilst out canvassing was also a concern. Being disabled results in additional costs when canvassing. 
• Access and funding were key and those interviewed believed it should be made available to all disabled candidates. 
• The catalyst for entering politics was not always related to disability or other intersecting identities, however, participants expressed a responsibility to represent others who shared their identities but were not as privileged.
• Disclosure of a disability is a key consideration for disabled people, particularly those with invisible disability, when standing for election. 
• Representation or the lack of representation of particular communities in politics was of concern to those interviewed. 

Dr Vivian Rath, School of Education, Trinity, said: 

“This research represents a starting point in understanding the experiences of disabled election candidates with intersecting identities in Ireland. The limited number of participants in the study reflects the lack of disabled people standing for election in Ireland, and the even lower number of candidates with intersecting identities. Despite this, the candidates’ perspectives, combined with the reflections of the participating organisations, paints a clear picture of the pathways to political life.

“Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities requires not just acknowledging barriers but actively dismantling them. This report offers a roadmap for change.”

Key recommendations: 

• The State should be responsible for collecting self-reported data on disability and other identities (including gender, LGBTQ+ identities, ethnic and racial minorities including members of the Traveller community and migrants, etc.) from election candidates. This should be published in a way that does not identify or endanger candidates. 
• Political parties should dismantle structural barriers to the participation of disabled people with intersecting identities in all aspects of their work. This should include the development of inclusion guidelines at the branch level and building intersectionality into existing support structures. Parties must also consider the need for greater diversity when proposing candidates for election and for co-option, including disability and other identities.
• Civil society organisations should be funded and supported to establish and run regular training and mentoring for disabled people, including those with intersecting identities who want to explore the idea of putting themselves forward for elected office.

Dr Aoife Price, School of Law, University of Galway, added: “This research is significant on a local, national and international level. Political representation of disabled people, including standing for election, is an under-researched area in general. The intersectional lens used within this study is less focused on, even within the international context. I would urge our elected officials and lawmakers to pay particular attention to this report's practical and implementable recommendations to open the opportunity for more disabled people to stand for election.”

Dr Aideen Hartney, Director of the National Disability Authority stated: “Our Research Promotion Scheme helps to build the evidence base on issues which matter to disabled people, including their participation in political life. We welcome the publication of this research and hope it will serve as a catalyst for discussion in how to more effectively support people with disabilities to run for elected office.”

• Tags:
• Research
• Society