Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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260. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify the definition of a disabled persons’ organisation (DPO) coalitions and umbrella group (details supplied); what should be legitimately considered a DPO umbrella-group by the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8632/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Government is committed to implementing the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as ratified by Ireland in 2018. This includes commitment to Article 4(3) which stipulates that State Parties shall closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities through their representative organisations in policy making and implementation.

In 2018, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted General Comment No. 7, in order to provide States Parties with guidance on how to implement Article 4(3).

Unlike the Convention itself, General Comments are not binding on States Parties, but offer interpretation on particular Articles to support State Parties in their implementation of same.

General Comment 7 defines Disabled Persons' Organisations as, in summary, civil society organisations of persons with disabilities that are led, directed and governed by persons with disabilities. The organisation should be rooted in, committed to and fully respect the principles and rights recognised in the UNCRPD.

While specific groups or stakeholder structures may be formed for a variety of purposes, the State does not generally play a specific formal role in forming or defining specific coalitions or umbrella groups of DPOs. As DPOs are not public bodies but are independent non-state organisations, relationships between DPOs are a matter for the organisations in question.

As part of the finalisation process for the next National Disability Strategy, my Department is working closely with Disabled Persons' Organisations to develop structures that will support capacity strengthening among DPOs and their effective participation in policy advocacy across government and in line with our obligations under the UNCRPD.