Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the DSG and the NDA for their presentations. They were very enlightening. The delay in the development of the UNCRPD strategy has led to a slowdown in the delivery of improvements for people with disabilities. That is fairly obvious. Ireland ratified the UNCRPD in 2018. There is a commitment to ratify the optional protocol but it is contingent on the State being in a position to meet the obligations involved. There is obviously a cost. Whether different Departments can deliver or otherwise is key to why we have not advanced as we should have. The protocol should have been ratified. The DSG, from what I can gather, believes that the overarching strategy for disability policy is through the implementation of the UNCRPD and not through a new disability inclusion strategy. That is fairly clear. Does it believe in pushing ahead with the ratification in order to push people into taking actions? We had this argument with the Department. We are told it is being pushed out further and further because of doubts about whether the different Departments can implement it. If we pushed ahead, as other countries have done, and forced the Departments to undertake the necessary actions, is that seen as an option or is that the way forward?

Can the NDA discuss why the NDIS was not extended to the end of 2023 to ensure there would be no gap in disability policy for 2023? It seems strange not to see out the year and have a proper strategy in place. No meetings were arranged in order to discuss this. It just seems to be left in limbo towards the end of this year. The NDA is finalising a code of practice on accessibility of public buildings. Will it give us an insight into this?

In the DSG, are all groups of disability represented? Is more engagement needed with DPOs and other stakeholders or is that covered? We are told that 21% of the population have some form of disability. That is massive. While our progress has been good in general, and much progress has been made, but we are now stalled by inaction.