Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

This strategy sets out a whole-of-government approach to disability. Individual Departments and State agencies are responsible for delivering on these commitments. I am just going to read into the record these individual commitments. They are that:

We will create a more inclusive educational system for disabled children and young people that will respect the rights of everyone to choose and access the learning environments that meet their needs.

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We will improve retention rates and progression for disabled children and young people as they deal with transitions within education ...

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We will help educators and staff to create learning spaces that are friendly and supportive of all disabled children and young people.

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We will maximise opportunities and access for disabled people to get meaningful work in the civil and public [service].

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We will actively promote the hiring and career advancement of disabled people across the private sector.

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We will provide the right supports at the right time for disabled people to access work or return to work.

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We will deliver the right individual supports at the right time so that disabled people using disability services can maximise their opportunities to live independently and choose to be an active part of their local communities.

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We will increase the participation of disabled people in social and cultural life, including in arts, tourism, and sport ...

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We will enable disabled people to have meaningful engagement in political life and public fora and to actively engage in elections on an equitable basis as citizens.

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We will improve access to supports and enable disabled people, particularly those with more complex disabilities, to live a full life in the community.

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We will enhance the effective delivery of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (2022 – 2027).

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We will support the inclusion of disabled people in their local communities by continuing to improve our services and by creating accessible environments ...

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We will ensure that disabled people have access to justice on an equal basis with others and that they do not unnecessarily enter the Criminal Justice system ...

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We will create a more accessible and inclusive mainstream health service ...

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We will ensure that disabled people are treated with respect and dignity, have their welfare promoted and receive support in an environment in which every effort is made to promote welfare and prevent abuse.

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We will enhance disabled people’s overall health and wellbeing.

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We will ensure that all disabled children and young people are supported to access the mental health services they need.

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We will achieve a quality, accessible, equitable and timely service for all disabled children and their families based on their needs.

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We will ensure that disabled children and adults can benefit from improved access to oral healthcare.

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We will ensure that disabled people are made aware of the supports available to them in accessing the National Screening Service through improved targeted promotion.

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We will ensure that disabled children and adults who develop hearing loss can benefit from appropriate and timely interventions.

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We will take a “whole-of-journey” approach applying Universal Design principles in the development of infrastructure and services to improve the accessibility of our transport system across the country.

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We will support those who cannot use or access ... public transport, or who may need private transport to get to and from public transport, by providing disabled people with enhanced personal mobility options.

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