Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government launched the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 on the 3rd of September this year.

The strategy adopts a whole-of-Government approach to advancing the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Individual Government Departments and State Agencies are responsible for planning and delivering the commitments that come under their remit across five key Pillars:

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

The Department of Social Protection is co-lead on Pillar 2 - Employment, with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. This pillar is focused on improving access to the workplace for disabled people.

The First Programme Plan of Actions 2025 -2026 is currently being developed. It is due to be published in the coming weeks. It will set out how the key priority actions under each commitment will be delivered on, by whom, the timeframe for delivery, and relevant Key Performance Indicators. Reporting or updating on Programme Plans will be carried out every six months.

Oversight of delivery will be undertaken by the Cabinet Committee on Disability, supported by the relevant Senior Officials Group and the Disability Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters will function as part of the broader political and democratic oversight of progress. A Delivery and Monitoring Committee will be established with representation from Disabled Persons’ Organisations and other disability stakeholders.

At the heart of this approach is that at all stages, the views and opinions of disabled persons, their organisations, and other relevant stakeholders will be central to delivery.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.