Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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482. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made towards action 104 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38043/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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484. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made towards action 104 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38097/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 482 and 484 together.

Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) commits that ‘we will lead a review of transport supports encompassing all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities, to enhance the options for transport to work or employment supports for people with disabilities and will develop proposals for development of a coordinated plan for such provision. This plan will have regard to making the most efficient use of available transport resources.’

Following the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice and Equality to this Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth is now the lead on this action, supported by the National Disability Authority.

In order to progress Action 104 a Transport Working Group was established. The Group’s membership is made up of relevant Government Departments and state agencies including the National Disability Authority and the National Transport Authority. The group met in March 2020 during which draft Terms of Reference and a work plan, including consultation process were discussed for future decision. However, following the emergence of COVID-19 the work of the group was paused to allow officials to focus on responding to the pandemic.

My Department is currently working to re-convene the Transport Working Group in the coming weeks. My Department is also in contact with the Department of Finance with a view to incorporating work planned by that Department in regard to reviewing transport supports for people with disabilities into the work of the NDIS Transport Working Group. 

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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483. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made towards action 53 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38083/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Action 53 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) commits that ‘We will develop proposals to address access to, or affordability of necessary aids, appliances or assistive technologies required for everyday living, for those people with disabilities whose entry, retention or return to work could be jeopardised due to being unable to afford these items. We will develop plans to implement the most viable proposals’.

Following the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice and Equality to this Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth is now the lead on this action, supported by the National Disability Authority.

In order to progress Action 53 an Assistive Technology Working Group was established. An initial meeting took place in February 2020 in which Terms of Reference and expanded membership of the group was discussed. However, following the emergence of COVID-19 ,the work of the group was paused.

The group re-convened in June 2021. It is coordinated by my Department and includes membership from a number of Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and independent experts who bring both lived and professional expertise to the group. The group has agreed to finalise Terms of Reference and to begin a planned course of work that will conclude with the provision of a report and practical and implementable recommendations to the NDIS Steering Group which is chaired by my colleague the Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D.