Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
357. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will address concerns raised in correspondence regarding the WALK PEER Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9038/26]
View answerFollowing on from the launch and publication of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, the First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 was published on 8th December 2025.
It is the first of three two-year Programme Plans of Action that will guide the Strategy’s implementation over the next five years, ensuring dynamic, agile and effective delivery of commitments and priority actions across the five core thematic pillars of the Strategy.
Covering the period to the end of this year, the First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 clearly sets out how the priority actions under each commitment will be delivered by various lead government departments and public bodies, the timeframe for delivery and the success indicators by which performance will be measured. Progress for each commitment will be reported on to the Delivery and Monitoring Committee, chaired by an Taoiseach, on a biannual basis.
As outlined in the Strategy and the First Programme Plan 2025-2026 the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science are leading on the delivery of commitments and priority actions under Pillar One of the Strategy – Inclusive Learning and Education.
The First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 details several priority actions under Pillar One that will advance the key commitment to improve retention rates and progression for disabled children and young people as they transition through early learning and school to further education and then to the world of work or other adult paths.
In keeping with the whole-of-government approach set out in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, I look forward to working with colleagues across government in ensuring that the priority actions that fall under the remit of responsible government departments and public bodies will be delivered in the manner set out in the First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026.
