Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 September 2025
69. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to outline her Department's efforts to improve accessibility in rural towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50208/25]
View answerGovernment is committed to ensuring that disabled people are supported to live full lives of their own choosing, on an equitable basis with all others in society. The accessibility of towns and villages is very important in ensuring that disabled people can participate and thrive within their own communities. It is also complex, encompassing the provision of safe, reliable and accessible public transport, inclusive and accessible community resources, the role of local authorities in ensuring an accessible built environment and so much more, going well beyond the remit of any one department or Minister.
In fulfilment of a key commitment in the Programme for Government, I am delighted to say the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 was launched and published on 3rd September.
The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 is Ireland’s comprehensive plan to advance the realisation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It sets out a whole of government approach to disability over the next five years. This means that Government Departments and State Bodies are responsible for planning and delivering commitments across various sectors. Acknowledging that people do not live their lives according to government departments, the Strategy will advance delivery on actions across five key thematic pillars that collectively capture the full range of issues impacting on the lives of disabled people:
• Inclusive Learning and Education
• Employment
• Independent Living and Active Participation in Society
• Wellbeing and Health
• Transport and Mobility
This Strategy contains actions that will make a big difference to the everyday lives of disabled people. These include conducting walkability audits in towns and cities with a population of over 5,000, to be led by Local Authorities. This audit will provide the necessary information to create accessible route maps, as well as creating a plan to address the barriers in these towns, such as inaccessible footpaths and road crossings, or the location of street furniture.
Following on from its launch and publication, Government is now committed to the full implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 to deliver the step change required in disability policy.
Robust delivery and monitoring structures have been co-designed with stakeholders to ensure oversight and accountability throughout the lifetime of the Strategy, with a strong focus on collaboration and active problem solving, reflecting a transformative step-change in delivery of disability policy.
In ensuring we have accessible towns and villages across the country, all departments and public bodies must work together to realise the entitlement recognised in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for disabled people to be active participants in inclusive communities.
