Kilkenny, 3rd October 2025
Presidential candidate, Jim Gavin, has pledged to lead by example on driving inclusion for disabled people if elected on 24th October.
Mr Gavin was speaking today following a visit to SOS Kilkenny, which provides supports for adults with intellectual disabilities and autism in Kilkenny City and County.
“For me the single biggest challenge for Ireland is to ensure that all groups in our society are recognised and valued – and this is particularly the case of disabled people, their families and carers,” Mr Gavin said.
“SOS Kilkenny’s motto is to hold people up rather than hold them back. They make the point that we all want the same thing: to be valued; to make a positive impact and to be appreciated for who we are. That’s what inclusion is all about, and I know it’s a mission shared by many other organisations and facilities across the country. This mission needs to be celebrated and expanded – and the President can play an important role in that.
“One of my early actions will be to hold a Forum on inclusion, bringing together disabled people, carers, advocates, service providers, and policy makers from home and abroad. We will ensure young disabled people are heard in conversations about Ireland’s future. We will celebrate positive models of inclusion in our country and hear from experts from countries like Sweden with progressive disability inclusion models.
“I will ensure an inclusive Áras an Úachtáran, that facilitates roles and internships for disabled people. As President, I will lead by example on employment inclusion and increasing workplace participation among the disabled community.
“For 50 years, SOS Kilkenny has empowered people to live full lives of their choosing with dignity, autonomy and purpose. As President I will champion the work of organisations like this around the country, to see and celebrate first-hand the work that they do, and to drive a conversation on what more we can all do together to improve the lives of disabled people in Ireland.”
ENDS
