A major confidence gap is holding Irish employers back from hiring more neurodivergent people and people with disabilities, according to new research commissioned by leading social enterprise NOW Group.
NOW Group is a leading social enterprise operating across the island of Ireland, supporting people with learning difficulties, autism and who are neurodivergent into sustainable employment. Through a range of services and social enterprises, NOW Group works with businesses and individuals to create inclusive workplaces and deliver social value.
The group’s latest research offers critical insight into the barriers to inclusive hiring, as Ireland continues to carry the weight of the European Union’s largest disability employment gap. Just 8% of employers surveyed describe themselves as very confident when it comes to hiring and supporting neurodivergent talent and people with disabilities.
The research among Irish employers reveals that while many businesses recognise the opportunity to recruit more inclusively, a significant proportion lack the confidence, knowledge and practical tools to do so. More than half (54%) say they feel only “a little” equipped or “not at all” equipped to hire and support neurodivergent people and people with disabilities.
The findings suggest that uncertainty and fear of getting inclusion wrong are creating significant barriers for employers.
A quarter (25%) cite a fear of being insensitive during recruitment or in the workplace as a barrier to hiring more inclusively, while 26% are unsure how to reach neurodivergent candidates and candidates with disabilities.
Almost 1 in 5 (18%) say they would not know how to accommodate neurodivergent people and people with disabilities in the workplace, while 15% do not know how to accommodate candidates during the recruitment process.
The research also points to a significant opportunity to help employers move from good intentions to action. Almost one in four (25%) say training on workplace inclusivity would make the biggest difference in helping them hire more inclusively, while 24% want guidance on how to reach neurodivergent talent and people with disabilities.
Maeve Monaghan, CEO of NOW Group, said:
“The biggest message from this research is that employers don’t necessarily lack the willingness to become more inclusive – many lack the confidence and practical knowledge to know where to begin. Our message to Irish employers is simple: you don’t need to have all the answers before you start. The expertise and support is available, and organisations like NOW Group can be your partner throughout that journey.
“We work on both sides of that equation – supporting neurodivergent people and people with disabilities to prepare for and progress into sustainable employment, while working directly with employers to give them the confidence, knowledge and practical support to recruit inclusively.”
NOW Group aims to support 300 people with disabilities into paid employment over the next three years through employer-led training programmes and partnerships with businesses committed to inclusive hiring.
The research comes as employers continue to navigate recruitment challenges, with 38% of organisations surveyed reporting difficulties recruiting over the past 12 months. NOW Group says the findings demonstrate the need for specialist employer partnerships that go beyond awareness and help organisations make tangible changes to how they recruit, onboard and support employees.
The organisation recently celebrated its largest-ever Dublin graduation ceremony, with more than 120 people with learning difficulties and who are neurodivergent graduating from its employment and skills programmes – more than five times the 22 graduates recorded in 2025.
NOW Group already works with major employers and organisations across Ireland, with partners including An Post, Deloitte Ireland, Levy Ireland, Flutter and Circle K.