Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

4. To ask the Taoiseach if he plans to provide places for parents and carers to be represented on the Department of An Taoiseach Disability Unit [26142/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A disability unit is being established in Department of the Taoiseach. The unit is supporting the work of the Cabinet Committee on Disability. It is also supporting the work of the Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality and other Ministers in driving cross-government, inter-agency and inter-disciplinary working and collaboration to improve the lives of people with disabilities and enable them to achieve their potential.

A work programme for the unit is currently being finalised which will inform the overall resources and staffing required for the unit.

A Ministerial meeting and two Cabinet Committees have been held to date, in addition to broader cross Government engagement on finalisation of the next National Disability Strategy.

Under the forthcoming National Disability Strategy, it is intended to embed a robust framework for supporting stakeholder engagement across Government. Utilising this and other existing structures, it is intended that will be opportunities to hear from parents and other stakeholders.

It is important to ensure that the work of the unit does not duplicate others work, rather it should further drive innovation, give momentum to policy implementation and to improve delivery of services. It is not intended to displace Ministerial or Departmental responsibility, accountability and oversight for delivery. Ministers and Departments continue to hold primary responsibility for delivery of all Programme for Government commitments, for Oireachtas accountability and sectoral engagement.