Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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294. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by children with disabilities in the developing world; if Irish Aid is in a position to offer direct support for those with disabilities in view of their specific needs and the fact that NGOs on the ground have pointed out that this group is ten times less likely to attend school in the developing world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39827/17]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s 2013 Policy for International Development, One World, One Future, affirms Ireland's commitment to addressing the rights and needs of vulnerable people, including those with disabilities.

Disability is both a cause and a consequence of poverty. It can magnify existing vulnerabilities among individuals, communities and nations, and people with disabilities are extremely vulnerable to discrimination, physical and sexual abuse and social exclusion. Ireland is committed to addressing the needs of children and other people living with disabilities by continuing and increasing our support to specific initiatives and to ensuring that we mainstream a focus on disability in our relevant programming work.

Ireland works with NGOs, with our developing country partners and with multilateral organisations, including through our humanitarian assistance, to address the needs of people living with disabilities.

Education is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of discrimination and poverty that children with disabilities often face. In this regard, I note Ireland's work with, and support to, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in least developed countries to help build structures and systems focused on keeping children with disabilities in the education system.

Ireland works to assist the empowerment of people with disabilities and their families. In recognition of the fact that women and girls with disabilities are twice as likely to face domestic violence, and three times more likely to suffer sexual violence we also place an emphasis oninitiatives to prevent violence against women and girls with disabilities, such as the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women.