Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for this question. Government is committed to ensuring that disabled children and young people can fully participate in education, sport events and community activities. The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, launched on 3rd September, sets out a whole of government approach to disability over the next five years. A core commitment in the Programme for Government, the Strategy will advance further implementation of the UNCRPD and constitute an overarching framework for delivering a “step-change” in the provision of disability services across several policy areas.

Taken collectively, the Strategy will advance delivery on actions across five key thematic pillars that capture the full range of issues affecting the lives of disabled people, including children and young people:

• Inclusive Learning and Education
• Employment
• Independent Living and Active Participation in Society
• Wellbeing and Health
• Transport and Mobility

Pillar One - Inclusive Learning and Education - contains several key commitments aimed at creating more inclusive learning spaces for disabled children and young people, including increasing the supports available to young disabled learners and a strong focus on providing greater supports at points of transition within and across education systems and onward into the workplace. The Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science are leading on implementing the commitments and accompanying priority actions under this pillar.

The promotion of a quality, accessible, equitable and timely healthcare service for all disabled children and their families based on their needs is a core commitment of the Strategy’s Wellbeing and Health Pillar. Fulfilling this commitment will involve addressing capacity challenges across all children’s therapy services in Children’s Disability Network Teams, primary care, mental health services for children and young people and in school and reducing waiting lists for both therapy services and Assessments of Need.

In relation to Youth Mental Health, ensuring that all disabled children and young people are supported to access the mental health services they need is also a key commitment under the Wellbeing and Health Pillar. The Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality are co-leading on the delivery of this Pillar.

Additionally, a key cross-cutting government initiative will focus on providing improved signposting and more accessible information across Government, generating a positive impact in creating a more clearly communicated accessible path of supports and services for parents, children and young people.