Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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My Department is actively involved in initiatives to improve the lives of children and young people living with a disability and is a member of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017 – 2020 Oversight Group. Under this strategy my Department has it's own Disability Consultative Committee.

This Committee is made up of staff from across my Department; and four independent members, three of which are nominated by the Disability Stakeholders Group (DSG); and a representative of the National Disability Authority (NDA).

The DSG is an independent body which plays an important role in the review and implementation of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021, as well as contributing to the State’s programme of implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The National Disability Authority (NDA) is an independent statutory body which provides information and advice to the Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of persons with disabilities.

The Consultative Committee reviews existing and proposed policies of my Department as they relate to children and young people living with a disability. The knowledge and input provided by the independent members who are experts in the field of disability matters, is of great assistance to my Department in implementing such policies.