In this interview, we speak with MEP Kathleen Funchion, a newly elected Member of the European Parliament (MEP) and a committed disability rights advocate. From her early political career in Ireland to her current role in the European Parliament, she has consistently worked to amplify the voices of persons with disabilities. We asked her about her motivations to join the Disability Intergroup, current concerns about the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, and how the EU budget can better support inclusion.
A lifelong commitment to disability rights
Question: Welcome to the Disability Intergroup! You have started your mandate as an MEP this term; what motivated you to join the Disability Intergroup and take on a role in its Bureau?
Answer: I’ve been a lifelong advocate for people with disabilities, starting from my time as a local councillor in 2009 and continuing as a TD (“Teachta Dála”, which means “Deputy to the Dáil”) in the Irish parliament. During my time there, I served as chair of the committee on Disability, Equality and Children, where I worked hard to hold the government to account and push for real change. In Ireland, we also meet with our constituents in constituency offices, so we know the real issues affecting ordinary people, with disability issues always coming up. These issues don’t get nearly enough attention, even though so many people are affected. Everyone knows someone with a disability. When I arrived in the European Parliament, I was shocked to learn there was no dedicated committee on disability. That’s why I saw the Disability Intergroup as a key space to speak up, push for progress, and work with MEPs from all parties to deliver real results for disabled people across Europe.
Addressing the urgent needs of Palestinians with disabilities
Question: Earlier this year, you submitted a question to the European Commission regarding persons with disabilities in the occupied Palestinian territories. What were your main concerns? Has the Commission responded, and were you satisfied with their reply? In your view, what more can the EU do to support Palestinians with disabilities?
Answer: My main concern right now is the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people. Israel’s brutal apartheid system and relentless war on an already impoverished population must end. The blocking of aid, the bombing of hospitals, and the targeting of civilians are unacceptable.
Women, children, and people with disabilities are being hit hardest. We’ve seen horrifying reports like children having limbs amputated without anaesthesia and having surgeries in tents because hospitals have been destroyed. Many are forcibly displaced, unable to return home due to destroyed infrastructure and inaccessible routes. Tents often lack clean water, sanitation, and basic safety.
People with disabilities face a dire shortage of mobility aids and support, and are especially vulnerable to trauma. The mental health crisis is growing, and women and children with disabilities are at extreme risk.
Last year, an average of 10 children a day lost limbs. That number is likely higher now. We’ve all seen the images—children buried in rubble. What kind of future will they have?
I welcome the EU’s aid efforts, but aid has been blocked for months. Israel must be sanctioned and forced to allow it in immediately. The commission must call out and take action.
Investing EU funds in inclusion and accessibility
Question: The European Commission is expected to present its proposal for the next EU budget soon. In your opinion, how can EU funds support the inclusion of persons with disabilities across the European regions?
Answer: EU funds can play a crucial role in advancing the inclusion of persons with disabilities across European regions by supporting accessibility, employment, and social participation. The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is critical in this effort, as it is the main EU instrument for promoting social inclusion. Programmes like Ireland’s WorkAbility, funded by the ESF+, demonstrate how targeted investment can deliver training, inclusive workplace supports, and resources for both individuals and employers. To ensure long-term impact, EU funding should also help remove physical and systemic barriers, improving access to education, public transport, housing, and digital services. It is essential that persons with disabilities are actively involved in designing and evaluating these initiatives. Protecting and prioritising ESF+ in the next EU budget is vital to building a more inclusive and equitable Europe.