Profile of People with
Disabilities in Republic of
Ireland
Published May 2015
National Facts and Figures




595,355 people reported having a disability in 2011; that is 13% of the population of Ireland1.
Of people aged 15 and over with a disability, 21% were at work. This compares to 50% for the
overall population aged 15 and over who were at work.2
16% of people with disabilities aged 15-49 had completed no higher than primary level education,
compared with 5% for the general population in this age group.3
15% of people who have a chronic illness or health problem are at risk of poverty 4.
Ireland Facts and Figures5

The total population of Ireland is 4,588,252
Breakdown of
population in Ireland
People with a disability:
595,335
People with
disabilities
People without a disability:
People
without
disabilities
3,992,917
Age Profile of People with
a Disability in Ireland
0-14
53059
15-24
44513
25-44
120426
45-64
173269
65+
204069
Total
595,335
% of People with a Disability
by Age Group (Total
Population)
39%
6%
8%
9%
0-14
15-24
25-44
Census 2011, Profile 8 – Our Bill of Health
Census 2011, Profile 8 – Our Bill of Health
3 Census 2011, Profile 8 – Our Bill of Health
4 A Social Portrait of People with Disabilities in Ireland (2011) ESRI
5
Census 2011, Profile 8 – Our Bill of Health
1
2
19%
45-64
65+
Type of disability people have in Ireland6
Physical and
Sensory
388517
Intellectual
Disability
Metal Health
194779
96004
Chronic Illness
274762
People with disabilities at work in Ireland7

21% of people with a disability are at work. This compares with the figure of 50% for the
general population.
People with disabilities’ highest level of educational achievement in Ireland8



16% of people with disabilities achieved no higher than primary education. 5% of the
general population achieved no higher than primary education
22% with disabilities did not progress beyond lower secondary. 15% of general population
did not progress beyond lower secondary.
25% of people with disabilities educated to third level. This compares with 39% of the
general population being educated to this level.
People aged 15 to 49, with and without a
Disability, whose Education has ceased and
highest level of Education is completed
People with a Disability
People without a Disability
54%
16%
26%
37%
17%
20%
24%
5%
No Qualifications
beyond Primary
Lower
Secondary
Upper
Secondary
Further
Education
Disability Federation of Ireland, Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8
Tel: 01-4547978, Fax: 01-4547981 Email: info@disability-federation.ie Web: www.disability-federation.ie
Union of Voluntary Organisations of People with Disabilities trading as The Disability Federation of Ireland is a
company limited by guarantee not having share capital, registered in Dublin. Registered No. 140948, CHY No 6177
6
For the purpose of this research the figure for Intellectual Disability includes intellectual disability and a difficulty with learning,
remembering or concentrating. Physical and Sensory includes Blindness or serious vision impairment, Deafness or serious hearing
impairment and a difficulty with basic physical activities. Mental Health refers to Psychological or emotional condition
7 Census 2011, Profile 8 – Our Bill of Health
8 Census 2011, Profile 8 – Our Bill of Health