Paul Donnelly
Ceist:31. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason for the delay in a European disability card being available to Irish citizens. [72879/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 December 2025
Ceisteanna (31)
Freagraí scríofa
There is no delay in implementation of the European Disability Card Directive.
The Directive was published in November 2024. Member States have until 5 June 2027 to transpose the Directive into national law and until 5 June 2028 to introduce the Cards. It is my intention that Ireland transpose and implement the Directive within these deadlines.
The European Disability Card is an important EU initiative which will make travel much easier for disabled Irish citizens by removing barriers to travel across all Member States.
This standardised card will ensure that when a disabled Irish person travels to another EU Member State for a short stay, and uses transport or avails of culture, arts, leisure or sport services, they will be able to easily access any special conditions or preferential treatment available to a disabled citizen of that country. This could include, for example, reduced entry fees when visiting a museum or priority entry or access to dedicated seating areas when attending a sporting event or concert.
The Card will be available in both physical and digital format.
There are often barriers to travel for disabled people, and I absolutely recognise the importance of the European Disability Card for many disabled people as a step towards removing some of those barriers. As a standardised card, with a recognisable format across the EU, it will simplify the recognition of disability status, enable free movement across the EU, encourage participation in cultural, leisure and sports activities, and ultimately achieve a more inclusive society.
The European Disability Card will be complemented by an enhanced European Parking Card, which has also been established by the same Directive. In a similar way to the European Disability Card, this enhanced parking card will have a standard format across all Member States, making it easier for disabled Irish citizens to travel, secure in the knowledge that their card will be recognised in their destination Member State. This Card is within the remit of the Minister for Transport.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is leading on the transposition of the Directive. As the Directive is broad in its scope, covering transport, arts, culture, officials will be engaging with all relevant departments throughout the transposition process, as well as with Disabled Persons Organisations.
Question No. 32 answered orally.