Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue of improving the lives of persons with disabilities. The programme for Government contains a number of commitments to improving the lives of persons with disabilities. These commitments include supporting people with disabilities to maximise their potential, removing barriers which impact on access to services, education, work or health care, and providing supports at key transition points in their lives.

The programme also recognises that persons with disabilities should have more control in accessing services and giving them greater independence and choice to better fit their needs. That is the plan in the programme for Government.

The Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible for me to provide an update on every individual commitment in the programme for Government but I am prepared to answer any other individual questions. The Deputy will also appreciate that the programme for Government is just one part of the wider Government policy in supporting persons with disabilities and cannot be looked at in isolation.

In addition to the commitments in the programme for Government, the Deputy will be aware of the forthcoming National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, which will form a key part of driving Government policy in this area. The aim of the strategy is to significantly improve the lives of people with disabilities in a practical sense and to create the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. The strategy is an all-of-Government approach and is broadly based around eight key themes including ensuring equality and choice, the provision of services, accommodation, health, employment, transport and education. As chair of the national disability inclusion strategy steering group, I have driven the preparation of the strategy, including an extensive consultation process, and its recent finalisation, and I am delighted to inform the Deputy that it will be launched this Friday, 14 July in Croke Park. I am happy to provide additional information on people with disabilities.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

I can assure the Deputy that the Government's commitments to improving the lives of persons with disability will not end with the publication of the strategy, and I am committed to ensuring that the strategy results in real and concrete change for the better for children and adults with disabilities. I am happy to provide additional information on individual commitments in the programme if the Deputy has specific issues in which he is interested.

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