Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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233. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in implementing the National Disability Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17608/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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At the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government continues to prioritise the needs of people with disabilities. Responsibility for coordinating policy on disability lies with my Department. However, the implementation of sectoral policy is a matter for a number of Government Departments, with responsibility for provision of services resting mainly with the Department of Health.

The Programme for Government committed to publishing, "following wide consultation, a realistic implementation plan for the National Disability Strategy, including sectoral plans with achievable time scales and targets within available resources and ensuring whole-of-government involvement and monitoring of the Strategy, in partnership with the disability sector".

The Implementation Plan was submitted to Government on 23 July 2013 and was published following Government Decision of that date. Considerable discussion was undertaken between the disability stakeholders and Government Departments to reach agreement on the suite of actions contained in the Plan and there are no outstanding inputs from Departments or agencies. The Plan sets out the practical measures across all relevant Government Departments to be taken to advance the National Disability Strategy over the period 2013 to 2015 and ensures that available resources are used to best effect to meet the needs of all people with disabilities. The Implementation Plan covers the period up to end-2015 and my Department will shortly commence a consultation process with all relevant stakeholders with a view to putting a revised Disability Inclusion Strategy in place as from January 2016.

The focus in the follow-on Implementation Plan will be on the key themes that impact on the lives of people with disabilities, on identifying agreed objectives within each theme and on developing specific actions to be undertaken to achieve each of the agreed objectives, together with timelines and key performance indicators.

The National Disability Strategy Implementation Group, which I chair, and which comprises representatives from across Government Departments, representatives from the City and County Managers Association, the National Disability Authority, a broad range of disability organisations, and a number of individuals appointed in their personal capacity to bring their lived experience to the table, will have a central role in shaping the new Implementation Plan.