Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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429. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way he will ensure that persons with disabilities will have a voice in Government and are included in policy development and implementation to enforce their civil rights similar to the disability platform of the President of the United States of America. [22663/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) requires State parties actively to involve people with disabilities in policy development. Ireland ratified the UNCRPD in 2018. It is important that the experiences and perspectives of people with disabilities are integrated into the development of policies and programmes so that they meet their needs effectively.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has funded the development of a Participation and Consultation Network to build capacity within the disability community so that people with disabilities and their representative organisations can participate fully. The Network was formed in late 2020. One of the Network’s first tasks has been to bring the voices of people with disabilities into consultations on Ireland’s first State Report to the UN on our progress in implementing the Convention. The Network facilitated a consultation process amongst its membership to complete that task.

This Network is an important initiative that will help us to realise both the spirit and the substance of the UNCRPD here in Ireland. It will provide a platform for people with disabilities to become actively involved in issues that affect their lives.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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430. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he has taken to adopt the recommendations of disability representatives on the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Disability Matters to the Cabinet Committee on Disability on 9 January 2020 in order that his Department take the lead role in co-ordinating the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities across Departments. [22664/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department currently has, and has had for some time, the lead role in coordinating the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) across Departments.

In accordance with Article 33 of the UNCRPD, my Department is designated as Ireland’s Focal Point and Coordination Mechanism. My Department has responsibility for preparing and submitting Ireland’s Initial State report to the Committee. This process is at an advanced stage.

The whole of Government strategy, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) is, alongside the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES), the key framework for policy and action to address the needs of persons with disabilities. Through 123 actions, the NDIS supports effective progress in delivering on the obligations set out in the Convention.

The NDIS Steering Group is chaired by my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D., and includes representatives of Government Departments and Agencies and the Disability Stakeholder Group (DSG). Implementation of the NDIS is monitored at regular meetings through a reporting system which requires Government Departments and Agencies to detail their progress biannually. The group is supported by independent analysis and advice from the National Disability Authority (NDA). My Department is responsible for the coordination of the NDIS.

Following a mid-term review of the NDIS, it was agreed that Ireland will develop a UNCRPD implementation plan. Government departments and agencies will be requested to develop their own plans for implementation that will link with the national plan. In addition, the Programme for Government made a commitment to the development of the UNCRPD Plan and my Department will act as the main co-ordination point on it.