Paralympics Ireland is proud to announce a new partnership with Uber that will provide vital support to its athletes in the lead-up to major international competitions. Through this sponsorship, Uber will deliver direct financial assistance and access to its transport services for members of the Paralympics Ireland team.
This comprehensive support package is designed to help Para-athletes focus fully on their training and performance by ensuring seamless, reliable transport solutions. By reducing transportation barriers, the partnership aims to empower athletes to achieve their highest potential on the world stage.
Uber’s commitment to supporting people with disabilities is long-standing. Last year, Uber launched Uber Access across Ireland, offering on-demand wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) to passengers. The Uber app also integrates features such as VoiceOver technology for blind or low-vision riders and vibrating alerts for riders who are deaf or hard of hearing, enhancing accessibility for all users.
This new collaboration builds on Uber’s previous work with Irish para-athlete Róisín Ní Ríain, who featured in a global advertising campaign celebrating her achievements and highlighting the transformative impact of accessible transportation.
This partnership, which was launched today with the help of Minister for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton, reflects a shared commitment to increasing opportunity, mobility, and visibility for people with disabilities across Ireland and beyond.
Minister for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton TD, said “I am delighted to join Paralympics Ireland in announcing this important partnership with Uber. This collaboration is especially meaningful through directly supporting our Paralympians in their training and competition, helping to remove barriers and make their sporting journeys more accessible. Our Irish athletes represent the very best of determination and excellence, and it is an honour to stand behind them as they continue to make us proud on the international stage. I look forward to continuing our work together to ensure they have all the support they need to succeed.”
Neasa Russell, Paralympics Ireland Chief Operating Officer, said “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Uber, a company that shares our vision for greater accessibility and inclusion. Transport and infrastructure are among the greatest barriers faced by para-athletes, and this innovative partnership will make a real and tangible difference to their daily lives and performance journeys. We are deeply grateful for Uber’s support in helping to remove these barriers, enabling our athletes to focus fully on their training and goals. We see this as the start of a meaningful and important conversation about how organisations can work together to create a more accessible future for all.”
Kieran Harte, General Manager at Uber Ireland, said “We’re incredibly proud to partner with Paralympics Ireland, an organisation that champions excellence, resilience, and inclusion. At Uber, we believe technology can be a powerful tool to remove barriers, and this partnership is an important step in our broader efforts to improve mobility and independence for people with disabilities. Whether it’s through innovative features in our app or supporting incredible athletes on their journey, we’re committed to making transportation more accessible for everyone.”
About Uber in Ireland
Uber has been operating in Ireland for ten years, launching its Centre of Excellence in Limerick in 2015. Today, the Centre employs over 400 staff, providing support to passengers, drivers, and customers across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. In the past 18 months, Uber has expanded to more than 20 towns and cities across Ireland, with over 8,000 drivers now working with the platform. Globally, more than 5 million drivers drive with Uber.
The Uber app offers door-to-door convenience, safety, and reliability, allowing passengers to book and pay drivers directly. In addition to standard taxi services, Uber provides options such as Uber Access for wheelchair-accessible vehicles, Uber Green for electric vehicle trips, and Uber Reserve for booking trips up to 90 days in advance. All drivers using Uber in Ireland are fully licensed SPSV drivers.
The app includes a range of safety features, enabling users to track trips, share journeys with trusted contacts, and connect with support teams. Alongside its transport services, Uber also operates Uber Eats, an online food ordering and delivery platform, and Uber Reserve for advance ride bookings.
