Funding boost for Mayo disability organisations to strengthen advocacy
Independent Living Movement Ireland and Mayo Disabled Persons Organisation included in €750,000 national fund
Two organisations working to promote disability rights and inclusion in Mayo are set to benefit from a new Government funding scheme aimed at strengthening the voice of disabled people in policy development.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary has welcomed the inclusion of Independent Living Movement Ireland and Mayo Disabled Persons Organisation (Mayo DPO) in the Power to Participate: Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement Fund 2026.
Established by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the €750,000 fund supports Disabled Persons’ Organisations (DPOs) and civil society organisations advocating for disabled people.
Welcoming the allocations, Minister Calleary said he was particularly pleased to see Mayo DPO included in the scheme, following the recent death of its chairperson, Avril Greham.
The announcement came just one day after her passing.
Minister Calleary paid tribute to Ms Greham’s contribution to disability rights and inclusion, saying she had worked throughout her life to ensure that the voices of disabled people were heard.
“A more inclusive society does not happen by accident. It happens because people like Avril are prepared to speak out and make their voices heard,” he said.
He added that the funding would help Mayo DPO continue its work and build on the legacy left by Ms Greham.
Minister Calleary said the scheme represented an important commitment to ensuring disabled people and their representative organisations had a strong voice in decisions affecting their lives.