Roadmap to Social Inclusion

Published February 2025

ODI’s submission to the Department of Social Protection’s public consultation on the Roadmap to Inclusion Strategy.

The Open Doors Initiative (ODI) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Department of Social Protection’s Roadmap to Inclusion. Our submission highlights the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers that prevent marginalised communities from accessing meaningful employment.

Despite progress in some areas, Ireland continues to have the lowest disability employment rate in Europe and significant numbers of people are locked out of opportunities due to outdated welfare structures and under-resourced supports. To build a just and prosperous Ireland, inclusion must be at the heart of social protection and labour market policies.

Key Recommendations

• Reform employment supports to be person-centred, streamlined and accessible, shifting ownership from employers to individuals.
• Introduce a Cost of Disability payment, recognising additional expenses that persist regardless of employment status.
• Strengthen integration supports for migrants and refugees, including intensive English language programmes and workplace-specific training.
• Expand access to entrepreneurship supports for marginalised groups, with grants, training, and mentorship.
• Promote inclusive recruitment and retention practices through national employer awareness campaigns.
• Invest in accessible remote working hubs and flexible work arrangements to widen labour market participation.