Budget 2026: Thriving Communities in a Changing Ireland
Budget 2026: Thriving Communities in a Changing Ireland
You are invited to attend the launch event of The Wheel's pre-budget 2026 submission to brief the community and voluntary sector as well as elected representatives.
The elections held in 2024 together with the establishment of a new Government have deeply impacted the Irish political landscape. The community and voluntary sector has been fast moving in its response to these new challenges and opportunities. Budget 2026, the first of the new government, provides an opportunity to set the tone for the next 5 years and build a future that empowers our sector; one in which charities, community groups, and social enterprises can efficiently and effectively work with those they serve.
The event will include a presentation of The Wheel’s priorities for Budget 2026 and a short panel discussion with member organisations on the most pressing issues they face in the run-up to the Budget, including sustainable funding, rising running costs and recruitment and retention.
We invite all members of our community to join us in calling for a Budget that supports the community and voluntary sector.
The briefing will then be followed by a photocall outside the gates of Dáil Éireann (attendance at this is completely optional) and then a lunch for members afterwards.
- You can book places for yourself and/or colleagues by clicking the button below.
- This event will take place in-person.
- Unfortunately this venue is not fully accessible, please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
- Please email matthew@wheel.ie if you have any special requirements.
Meet Your Facilitator:
Guillaume Jacquinot is the Campaign and Advocacy Manager for The Wheel. He has worked in the disability sector since 2012, with various organisations at both national and international levels. He was elected Secretary General of Inclusion Europe, a European organisation representing people with intellectual disabilities and their families at the EU level. He holds a Master's in Human Rights and completed an LLM in International Comparative Disability Law and Policy at NUI Galway.
Meet Our Panel:
Ber Grogan is the Executive Director for Simon Communities of Ireland. Ber joined the SCI team in January 2025. Having worked in the charity and political sectors for over two decades, Ber is bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion to this role. Ber has joined us from Mental Health Reform, where homelessness and mental health difficulties were a part of her work. She has worked directly with young people experiencing homelessness, on legislation and amendments to address homelessness and has been involved in many campaigns in this area.
Susanne Rogers is a Research and Policy Analyst with Social Justice Ireland. Susanne leads on community development and social inclusion policy as well as researching and developing policy and strategies in the areas of income distribution, social inclusion, public participation, access to services and housing. Susanne is chair of the Loneliness Taskforce Network and also sits on the Housing Finance Agency Social Investment Fund Committee, the Department of Rural and Community Development Public Participation Network National Advisory Group and the Central Bank of Ireland Consumer Advisory Group.
Lily Power is Policy Officer for the Wheel. She has a broad range of experience in the charity and voluntary sector, primarily in the area of arts and culture, having worked as Production Editor with Visual Artists Ireland for a number of years, and as a researcher on a range of projects for nonprofits and public bodies. Lily also has experience running a small independent business.
