Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senator Higgins made a valid point concerning those with disabilities. We are working on an update in the Department. Our new strategy for people with disabilities will be incorporated into the Housing for All plan. The model will be reviewed, but we want to prove that it works in the first instance, which is a significant consideration. There have been 1,600 submissions to the new disabilities strategy, one quarter of which have come from people with lived experiences. It is within my remit and I am keen to progress it.

Universal design will be a key challenge for us to embrace. From speaking to people from different countries, I have seen that the Irish model has moved on a great deal. There is more to do, but we are well ahead of many countries. I would love to work with the House on the issue of universal design.