Pre-Budget Submission 2024

Published August 2023 

An overview of ODI’s recommendations for Pre-Budget 2024

The Open Doors Initiative’s (ODI) Pre-Budget Submission 2024 outlines practical, cost-effective measures that Government can adopt to foster a fairer and more prosperous Ireland.

Our recommendations are shaped by lived experience, research, and collaboration with businesses, public bodies, and communities. Despite the strong business case for diversity and inclusion, too many people still face barriers to work, education, and opportunity. This Budget is a chance to change that.

Key Recommendations Include

• Extending supports for refugees and asylum seekers, including equitable housing payments, travel assistance, and intensive language training.
• Amalgamating and streamlining employment supports for people with disabilities into one accessible grant.
• Providing multi-annual funding to support employers in hiring and retaining people with a criminal history, reducing recidivism and strengthening communities.
• Investing in accessible remote working hubs nationwide to support diverse work needs.
• Expanding supports for part-time students to make further education truly accessible.

These measures are designed not only to remove barriers but also to unlock Ireland’s potential—driving innovation, equity, and growth for all.