Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

733. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way a gender perspective is being included in the Disability Participation and Consultation Network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17492/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Disability Participation and Consultation Network was established in 2020 as a mechanism to ensure that people with a disability and their representative organisations are involved in the development of policy and legislation.

The Network is made up of an Organising Member and four Grant Funded Members who play a central role in coordinating and organising the the work of the Network. The remaining membership of the Network is made up of organisations and indviduals with lived experience of disability. The make up of membership of the Newtork includes organisations with specific focus on gender perspectives for people with disabilities. These organisations can bring that expertise to bear on the work of the Network.

As part of the Grant Agreements which the Department signed with the Organising Member and Grant Funded Members, the Grantees were advised of the requirement to have due regard to the Public Sector and Equality and Human Rights Duty.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

734. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way children and young persons with disabilities are being included in the Disability Participation and Consultation Network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17493/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Disability Participation and Consultation Network was established in 2020 as a mechanism to ensure that people with a disability and their representative organisations are involved in the development of policy and legislation.

The Network is made up of an Organising Member and four Grant Funded Members who play a central role in coordinating and organising the the work of the Network. The remaining membership of the Network is made up of organisations and indviduals with lived experience of disability. Many of the members of the Network have experience in engaging with children and young people as part of their work/experience and can draw on this experience in the Network's activities.

Hearing from and including children, including children with disabilities in matters that affect them is a core tenant of both the UNCRC and the UNCRPD. My Department has a Participation,Play, Recreation and Culture Unit that works to ensure that children and young people participate in decision making. The involvement and engagement of children with disabilities is included in that work.