Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My Department supports people with disabilities through a range of initiatives, and particular priority is given to removing barriers to, and supporting people in, active participation in public life, politics and policymaking. I watched the meeting of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, which had an active conversation on the subject. It continued to the Make Way Day conversation.

I am currently advancing the preparation of the assisted decision-making (capacity) (amendment) Bill, which will provide for an amendment to section 41 of the Electoral Act 1992 to make it easier for persons with intellectual disabilities to stand for election to Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann and the European Parliament.

The national disability inclusion strategy, NDIS, now extended until the end of 2022, has been one of the primary vehicles for supporting the participation of people with disabilities in public life. It takes a whole-of-government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities both in a practical sense and in creating the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential.

My Department co-ordinates this strategy and I chair the NDIS steering group. The steering group membership includes the disability stakeholder group, a voluntary group of individuals with expertise and lived experience of disability, who participate in monitoring the implementation of the strategy. For that group, Covid has changed the dial of our engagement and understanding. There has also been a complete awareness and willingness of Departments to come to the table and find solutions to break down the barriers. I compliment those from the Office of Public Works, OPW, and the Department of Education who have attended recent meetings and shown their willingness to work with the members involved to break down the barriers. I also compliment the Oireachtas on setting up the Joint Committee on Disability Matters, which has lent a voice and put an emphasis on disability in these Houses.

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