In this release, the term disability refers to people who experienced long-lasting conditions or difficulties derived from answers to Questions 15 and 16 of the Census 2022 questionnaire. From these questions, it is possible to identify the extent to which long-lasting conditions or difficulties were experienced. This release concentrates on people experiencing long-lasting conditions and difficulties to a great extent, or to any extent.

• Within 2024, 15% of households on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme included an adult experiencing a long-lasting condition or difficulty to a great extent.
• More than two in five (42%) households on the HAP scheme throughout 2024 which included an adult experiencing a long-lasting condition or difficulty to a great extent were receiving a long-term disability payment.
• Less than two in five (38%) people of working age (15–64 years) experiencing at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty to a great extent were in employment in 2023.
• The median earned income of people of working age (15-64 years) in employment who experienced at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty to a great extent was €23,190 in 2023.
• A Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grant was awarded to 58% of new entrants to higher education experiencing a long-lasting condition or difficulty to a great extent who applied in 2023.
• Half (50%) of students experiencing long-lasting conditions or difficulties to a great extent who sat the Leaving Certificate in 2022 transitioned to higher education over the following two years.
• More than two in three (71%) people experiencing a long-lasting condition or difficulty to a great extent had either a medical card or GP visit card in 2022.