Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 March 2025
185. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the State is providing contracts and funding to service providers for human rights-based needs without close consultation with disabled persons’ representative organisations, as per Articles 4(3) and 29 (b(ii)) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14308/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question.
At the outset, and as regards the activities of the State as referenced in the question, I would note that in line with the principle of mainstream-first service delivery, it is incumbent upon all public bodies to execute their functions with proper regard for people with disabilities and Ireland’s obligations under the UNCRPD, including consultation with Disabled Persons' Organisations.
Engagement with stakeholders, especially with disabled people, is a priority for my Department in working to provide high-quality, person-centred disability supports and services. Since the Transfer of Functions in March 2023, a number of consultation events on disability services have taken place in order to garner the views of those who use services, to help guide the Department in terms of funding and policy choices. These events include an event on respite policy, an event on the implementation of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, as well as our first pre-Estimates forum on disability services. This Pre-Estimates forum will be an annual event.
In late 2023, the Department established the Disability Stakeholder Strategic Advisory Group, whose membership is comprised of a range of stakeholders from the disability sector, including Disabled Persons’ Organisations. This group helps advise the Department on high-level disability strategy and policy. This group also acts as the Monitoring Group for the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, reviewing progress on a twice-yearly basis, advising on how best to resolve any emerging risks or difficulties, in particular those affecting major items in the Action Plan, or where delivery is well off-course.
The Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 sets out targets and goals for service expansion and policy development in disability services and was developed with input from an extensive public consultation in which the views of nearly 800 people, including disabled people, were garnered. The consultation also featured submissions from a number of representative organisations, including Disabled Persons’ Organisations.
