70th COMMISSION ON   

THE STATUS OF WOMEN

On 9th March, 2026, the 70th Commission on the status of Women kicks off at the United Nations in New York. CSW is the world’s largest meeting on the empowerment of women and girls and the main global body steering progress on gender equality.

During this two-week session Ireland will join with representatives from other UN member states, civil society organisations and UN entities to discuss how we can ensure and strengthen access to justice for all women and girls.

Last year Ireland co-facilitated the process to revitalise the CSW. We are pleased that this year a number of recommendations arising from that process will be put into practice including a high level meeting on violence against women and girls.

This year, I am honoured to lead Ireland’s delegation which will include representatives from Irish civil society organisations as well as Ireland’s two UN Youth Delegates.

CSW will host 200 side events with Ireland co-sponsoring a number of these events including one on education, as a first step to justice for women and girls and another on advancing women’s access to justice in agrifood systems.

CSW reviews the progress on women’s participation in public life and the elimination of violence against women, aiming to produce an outcome document, the "agreed conclusions" to guide global policy.

For more information follow @emerhigginstd on social media.

#CSW70

Public Consultation: Cost of Disability Payment

Disabled people and families face extra costs every day and we want to support them better with that.

The Government has launched a public consultation to help shape a new Cost of Disability Support Payment.

A public consultation is open until 5pm, Tuesday April 7th, 2026.

We’re committed to delivering a permanent payment that makes a real difference. If you’re a disabled person, family member or carer, please make a submission and have your say.

For details on how to get involved, click on the link below:

Cost of Disability Public Consultation

Christmas Bonus Payment

Pensioners, carers, lone parents and people with disabilities will soon receive a Christmas Bonus payment. The full list of qualifying payments for the Christmas Bonus is available on our website here.

The Christmas Bonus is paid to long-term social welfare recipients such as pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and long-term unemployed people.

Nationally, the payment will benefit some 1.5 million people and represents a total investment of €370 million being issued from today. People will receive their Christmas Bonus on the same day that they usually receive their primary payment.

These payments recognise the contributions of people to Irish societies and our communities. They come at a time when many households are under pressure, and this support will enable them to have a little more breathing room as they prepare for the holiday season ahead.

We know every euro spent in local communities has a multiplier effect, and by using this bonus payment to support local shops and businesses – people will not only be helping themselves, but also strengthening their community.

Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, attending Cabinet

Tuesday 18th November 2025, I was truly honoured to be appointed as Ministerof state with special responsability for Disability, attending cabinet.

This is a responsibility I take on with deep respect and a strong commitment to listening, learning, and working alongside people with disabilities, their families, carers, advocates, and the wider sector.

Lucan Special Olympics 20-Year Anniversary 

Lucan Special Olympics marked a major milestone this weekend as athletes, families, volunteers, and friends came together at the Lucan Spa Hotel to celebrate the club’s 20th anniversary.

I was delighted to attended the celebration and praise the extraordinary dedication and commitment that has sustained the club over the last twenty years:

Lucan Special Olympics is an example of what real inclusion looks like. It’s connection, love and belonging, a place where athletes can have fun, grow and thrive. You can really see how special this club is and what it means to local athletes and their families and friends. Clubs like this don’t happen by themselves and it simply wouldn’t be possible without the passion and commitment of the volunteers and families who have poured so much into making Lucan Special Olympics the club it is today. I’ve no doubt the next 20 years will be just as strong, and that Lucan Special Olympics club will continue to go from strength to strength.

The club, which offers basketball, bocce, floorball and a Young Athletes Programme, is the only Special Olympics club in the Lucan area and has been supported from its earliest days by the Lucan Lions Club and Coláiste Phádraig CBS. 

Tribute to Garda Youth Award Winner

I also had the opportunity to pay tribute to, Kate Hoskins, a Lucan Special Olympics athlete who received the ‘Special Achievement Award’ at the An Garda Síochána National Youth Awards on Saturday.  

I’d like to congratulate Kate again on her extraordinary achievement. She is an inspiration to other athletes, and her determination and courage show that there are no limits to what can be achieved. Kate has made all of Lucan proud and I know her success will mean so much to athletes and families all over the country.

Fine Gael Councillor, Caroline Brady, who also attended the anniversary and nominated Kate Hoskins for the Youth Award, also expressed her congratulations:

“The Special Achievement Award’ recognises people who have overcome difficult circumstances, defied the odds and shown exceptional commitment. That’s exactly what Kate has done. It was an honour to have been able to nominate her, and we are all so proud of what Kate has achieved”.

Today I had the privilage of signing the 34th Dáil Éireann Members Roll. It's been an absolute honour to be re-elected as a TD to serve my community. A huge thank you, again, to my incredible campaign team and to everyone who put their trust in me in the ballot box.
Thank you to my incredible campaign team and to every single person that put a 1 or a 2 next to my name on their ballot paper 🗳 I promise to hard work and deliver for you!
Incredibly proud to be re-elected by the people of Dublin Mid West! Thank you to each and every one of you for your continued support. We’ve made so much progress together but here’s to making more in the 34th Dáil. #GE24