Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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834. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to work to deliver the European Disability Card, ensuring rights of individuals are recognised and upheld throughout Europe, as of July 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39524/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The European Commission published a proposal for a Directive establishing the European Disability Card and the European Parking Card for persons with disabilities on 6th September 2023. The proposal is one of the flagship initiatives of the EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-30, and aims to facilitate the freedom of movement of citizens with disabilities in the EU by removing barriers to travel across the EU.

A provisional agreement was reached on the proposed Directive between the Council and the European Parliament on 8th February 2024, and the Directive was adopted by the Council on 14 October 2024. Following signature by the Council and the European Parliament, the Directive was published on 14 November 2024. Member States have until 5 June 2027 to transpose the Directive into national law and until 5 June 2028 to introduce the Cards.

The Directive applies to a broad range of areas, including culture, leisure, tourism, sports, public and private passenger transport, and parking conditions and facilities. My Department is developing a proposal on transposition of the Directive which I will present to my Government colleagues, with a view to ensuring a coordinated and effective approach to transposition of this important Directive.