Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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480. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he will reiterate his commitment to sign the optional protocol of the UNCRPD within the lifetime of this Government; and to provide a timeline for doing so. [40237/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to report that on 8th October 2024 a decision was made by Government to formally accede to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, delivering on an important Programme for Government commitment.

This decision marks a milestone moment for Ireland, and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the continued realisation of the rights and obligations set out in the Convention. It reflects our ongoing drive to improving the lives of persons with disabilities in this country, and is a further step on Ireland’s journey toward a more inclusive and fair society for everyone, and one in which everyone is valued equally. It is our intention to continue to build on the significant progress we have made to date in ensuring that the rights as set out in the Convention are valued, respected and upheld.

On foot on this Government decision, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs will sign an instrument of accession on behalf of the Government, to be deposited with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Optional Protocol will enter into force with respect to the State on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit.

Accession to the Optional Protocol forms part of Ireland’s broader approach to compliance with the Convention, and ultimately assists in furthering the State’s progressive implementation of the Convention in an important way. In that regard intensive work is ongoing across government to develop Ireland’s next National Disability Strategy, which will form the implementation plan to advance delivery of the rights as set out in the Convention over the coming years.