Written answers

Tuesday, 29 April 2025

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Disability Services

Photo of Ciarán AhernCiarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour)
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1872. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the new National Disability Strategy; a timeline on when it is expected to be finalised and implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19926/25]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Publication of the next National Disability Strategy is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government more broadly, and I expect it to be finalised and published over the coming months.

The development of the next National Disability Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment and will be a milestone achievement, representing a step-change in how we deliver disability policy in Ireland. It will be Ireland's first National Disability Strategy to be published since we ratified the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018 and will be explicitly framed as an implementation plan for Ireland's advancements of its obligations under the Convention.

A robust and extensive consultation process launched in late 2023 that included 34 focus groups, 18 interviews, more than 80 written submissions, 484 submissions to a national survey and 5 town hall events. Feedback from consultation has coalesced around a range of thematic pillars that, collectively, will capture the spectrum of issues affecting the day-to-day lives of disabled people:

  • Inclusive learning and education
  • Employment
  • Independent living and active participation in society
  • Wellbeing and health
  • Transport and mobility
Development work is ongoing across government and with disability stakeholders toward finalisation of the Strategy in early course.

Photo of John LahartJohn Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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1873. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a new National Disability Strategy will be commenced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19927/25]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Publication of the next National Disability Strategy is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government more broadly, and I expect it to be finalised and published over the coming months.

The development of the next National Disability Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment and will be a milestone achievement, representing a step-change in how we deliver disability policy in Ireland. It will be Ireland's first National Disability Strategy to be published since we ratified the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018 and will be explicitly framed as an implementation plan for Ireland's advancements of its obligations under the Convention.

A robust and extensive consultation process launched in late 2023 that included 34 focus groups, 18 interviews, more than 80 written submissions, 484 submissions to a national survey and 5 town hall events. Feedback from consultation has coalesced around a range of thematic pillars that, collectively, will capture the spectrum of issues affecting the day-to-day lives of disabled people:

  • Inclusive learning and education
  • Employment
  • Independent living and active participation in society
  • Wellbeing and health
  • Transport and mobility
Development work is ongoing across government and with disability stakeholders toward finalisation of the Strategy in early course.

Photo of Séamus McGrathSéamus McGrath (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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1874. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide some funding to an organisation (details supplied) providing essential services for those with brain injuries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19989/25]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

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