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Irish Disability Survey

Illustration of people with different disabilities and access needs, including a wheelchair user, a guide dog user, a young child, and a person using a walking aid.

The Irish Disability Survey (IDS) is a nationwide survey of individuals carried out by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

Your participation in this new survey is important, as it will gather data on the issues facing disabled people today.

Welcome to the Irish Disability Survey

You may have received a letter or text message from the CSO about the Irish Disability Survey (IDS).

This important survey gathers data on the issues facing disabled people today. Your participation in this national survey is important and you can learn more about it in this section.

Graphic promoting the Irish Disability Survey, featuring a guide dog user and child. Text reads:

How to Take Part?

You can take part online (Q4 2026) or with a CSO interviewer (Q1 2027).

If you wish to participate in the online survey, you can:

Scan the QR code in the letter using a mobile device, or copy or type the link into a browser: https://socialsurveys.cso.ie/weblogin/
Enter your access key
Please complete the survey within two weeks of receiving the invitation letter

If you have not completed online, an interviewer might call to meet you at home to complete the survey with you in Q1 2027.

You can find more information on the different accommodations available to complete the survey in our How to Take Part section.

About the Irish Disability Survey

The Irish Disability Survey (IDS) is a voluntary, nationwide survey, planned for 2028. This represents a commitment under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People for such a survey, and will be collected under Section 24 of the Statistics Act, 1993.

Consultation work for this survey began in 2024 and into 2025, involving government departments, the DPO Network and other sectoral stakeholders. Following this, the CSO took over responsibility of the survey development in consultation with the survey stakeholders. A pilot survey in late 2026 and early 2027 will test all aspects of the IDS, helping to ensure the main survey produces useful and reliable information about the experiences of disabled people in Ireland.

This is an important survey as the information collected will help inform disability-related policies, services and supports.

Why is your participation important?

The information we get directly from you through the Irish Disability Survey (IDS) will give us a clear picture of the lives of disabled people, showing the situation at national and regional level. The statistics we will produce will be used by individuals, non-governmental organisations and charities, local authorities and national government to inform decisions. These statistics will help to create policies that help provide public services where and when they’re needed most. We need as many people as possible to take part to ensure the data that is collected represents the lives and experiences of everyone in Ireland. We depend on your information, so if you are asked to take part, please do so because your voice matters.

The data you provide when taking part will help shape decisions about:

Health and supports: access to services, care, assistance, aids and assistive technology.
Education and work: participation, barriers, supports and training needs.
Transport and accessibility: travel, housing, local environment and public spaces.
Well-being and participation: social inclusion, civic life, sport, exercise and daily activities.

Everyone’s experience is different. By taking part, you help ensure that services and policies are informed by evidence from people across Ireland.