Funding Inclusive Futures: Joint LGBTQI+ Sector Pre-Budget Submission Launched at Leinster House

Community and national LGBTQI+ organisations from across Ireland came together today at Leinster House to publish a single, coordinated set of priorities for the upcoming Budget. Led by Belong To and LGBT Ireland, and endorsed by 22 partner organisations, the “Funding Inclusive Futures: Budget 2027” submission provides a practical, costed, and evidence-based roadmap for the State. 

While Ireland has achieved welcome social and legislative changes, significant daily challenges remain for the community. Frontline data shows that LGBTQI+ people continue to face disproportionate levels of mental health difficulties, a rise in hate-related violence and harassment, and substantial barriers to accessing appropriate healthcare. This pre-budget submission outlines exactly how targeted funding can address these gaps. 

Budget 2027 provides an opportunity to create an inclusive Ireland, for the benefit of all, by building the inclusive communities, society, and health system that will allow LGBTQI+ people to live full, free, and safe lives. The submission focuses on three critical pillars: 

• Inclusive Communities: Delivering a fully realised National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II that furthers Ireland’s position as a global leader for LGBTQI+ rights. This requires sustainable, multi-annual funding for regional services and capital investment for accessible community infrastructure, so people have somewhere to meet and belong. This pillar also calls for funding local Pride celebrations to boost cultural vitality, alongside dedicated research streams to close data gaps and inform better policymaking. 
• Inclusive Society: Fostering a safer Ireland by funding a National Action Plan to Combat Hate, ensuring no community is left vulnerable. This pillar demands investment to create inclusive schools and resource the youth-work sector, so all LGBTQI+ young people are safe, supported, and able to learn. It also includes rolling out a national workplace inclusion programme, giving employers the practical tools to support diverse, high-performing teams. 
• Inclusive Health System: Building a stronger, person-centred healthcare system that respects dignity and autonomy. This includes delivering timely access to gender-affirming care, reversing worsening mental health outcomes through affirming, accessible supports, and creating an equitable sexual health system to prevent transmission. It also calls for safe, regulated, and affordable pathways to parenthood, so all LGBTQI+ families are recognised and supported. 

At an Oireachtas Briefing this afternoon, public representatives from across the political spectrum met with the authors to discuss how these priorities can inform the upcoming budgetary cycle.

Read the full report

You can download a complete copy of the Funding Inclusive Futures: