Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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804. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects the EU disability card to be available to those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7226/23]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The European Commission has announced its intention to introduce a legislative proposal to create an EU Disability Card that will be recognised in all Member States. Development of the proposal is currently in its early stages. The Commission conducted a call for evidence to inform an impact assessment in late 2022. A public consultation also recently opened for feedback.

The Commission hopes to present its proposal by Q4 2023. The proposal will then be subject to negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament.

Given that development of the EU Disability Card is still in its initial stages, it is not yet clear what services will be included within the remit of the card. A pilot programme carried out in some Member States to inform the proposal focused on the areas of culture, leisure, sport and transport.

Ireland looks forward to participating actively in negotiations at EU level on the EU Disability Card going forward.