Ireland has the lowest rates of employment for people with disabilities in the European Union, politicians have been told.
Disability rights campaigners highlighted the situation during a meeting with the Committee on Disability Matters.
Gillian Kearns, of the Disabled Women Ireland group, called on TDs and senators to put forward more measures to assist people affected.
She said that, across the EU, Ireland has "the lowest employment" of people with disabilities - at 32.3%.
Ms Kearns said this figure drops to 25.8% of women with disabilities, a situation that means women with disabilities are "more likely to live in poverty than disabled men".
Other factors - such as work that is "less financially rewarding" than for other groups - is also a factor, she said.
Ms Kearns called on politicians to ensure that supports are available, such as the Free Travel Scheme.
Avril Greham, of the Mayo Disabled People's Organisation, told the same meeting that there is a need for flexibility when it comes to employers and people with disabilities.
She said the Covid-19 pandemic "has shown flexibility works" and this "must become the standard and not the exception".
