Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
38. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first meeting of the delivery and monitoring committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which he chaired on 8 December 2025. [9927/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra39. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the first meeting of the delivery and monitoring committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. [9964/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 39 together.
The Delivery and Monitoring Committee, which I chair, oversees implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. This strategy, published last September, is the Government’s plan to advance the realisation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with the goal of ensuring that disabled people are supported and empowered to live full lives of their own choosing.
The Delivery and Monitoring Committee is part of robust monitoring structures which have been established for the Strategy. These structures have been co-designed with stakeholders to ensure oversight and accountability and will involve disabled people centrally so that their voice can be heard.
The first meeting of the Delivery and Monitoring Committee took place on 8 December 2025. It was attended by government ministers responsible for delivering the strategy, including Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, and Minister of State for Disability, alongside representatives of Disabled Persons’ Organisations, and disability and civil society organisations.
To mark the inaugural meeting a number of additional Ministers attended including the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports; Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion; and Minister of State for Small Business and Retail & Circular Economy.
The first meeting of the Committee considered the First Programme Plan of Action for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. This plan, which covers the years 2025 and 2026, details initial measures that are to be taken in order to progress deliver of commitments made to ensure disabled people experience real progress in their everyday lives. Following consideration by the Committee, the Plan of Action was subsequently published.
The Committee will meet twice a year, and future meetings are expected to have a thematic focus on specific issues that will be identified with stakeholders in advance. The next meeting of the Committee has not yet been scheduled.
