Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
511. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures her Department is taking to deliver on-the-ground supports in relation to the National Human Rights Strategy 2025, in particular supports that will enable disabled people to live independently and be an active part of their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13428/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is committed to providing the supports required by disabled people to live lives of their own choosing in as independent a way as possible, ensuring that they can be full and active participants in their local communities on an equal basis to all others.
The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 sets out a whole of government approach to disability over the next five years. As part of a core commitment in the Programme for Government, the Strategy will advance further implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and constitute an overarching framework for delivering a step-change in the provision of disability services across several policy areas.
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
I was delighted to publish the First year Programme Plan of Action in December of 2025. It is the first of a total of three two-year Programme Plans of Action which 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 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. This Department will coordinate the publication of a report to outline progress for each commitment. This will be reported on to the Delivery and Monitoring Committee, chaired by an Taoiseach, on a biannual basis.
Pillar Three - Independent Living and Active Participation in Society - is a cornerstone pillar of the Strategy and consists of a key commitment to deliver the right supports at the right time to disabled people to enable choice and autonomy over their own lives, including the provision of supports to those with complex disabilities and high support needs.
Additional key commitments within Pillar Three include commitments to enhance the effective delivery of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027, to promote the inclusion of disabled people in their local communities, to increase the participation of disabled people in social, cultural and political life and to enhance the accessibility of arts, sporting and cultural venues and events.
In line with the Strategy’s overarching whole-of-government approach, delivery on the actions and commitments under Pillar Three are being led by this Department in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and in collaboration with several government departments and public bodies.
I am confident that the Strategy will further advance the ongoing work across Government to improve the lives of disabled people in ways that will enable them to live independent and active lives of their choosing within their communities.
