Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:36. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on the review of the Disability Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47540/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 June 2026
Ceisteanna (36, 60)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:60. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on engagements she has had with other departments in relation to the review of the Disability Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47541/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 60 together.
The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 commits to a broad legislative programme that recognises the need to review and update existing disability legislation, and to consider where a need for new legislation may exist, particularly following Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). The Strategy sets out a non-exhaustive list of relevant legislation for review to ensure that the human rights of disabled people are properly accounted for, with a focus on the Disability Act 2005 among other legislative measures.
The Programme for Government also commits to reform of the Disability Act in consultation with stakeholders. In line with these commitments, the Department has commenced a review of this wide-ranging legislation.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025 is currently being drafted and this proposes targeted reforms of Part 2 of the Disability Act to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the AON process. However, the full review of the Disability Act will be broader and include a detailed consideration of all parts of the 2005 Act.
As stated in the Strategy, the review will examine and update the statutory underpinning for whole-of-Government action on disability. It will also include consideration of the Programme for Government commitment to place an autism strategy on a legislative footing.
To inform this review, the Department is carrying out a public consultation process that will occur across two stages. Stage one of this process is a call for submissions in writing and other formats on the operation the Disability Act and potential reforms to enhance Ireland’s compliance with the UNCRPD. Stage one was launched on June 8th and will run for a period of three months, that is, until September 9th. Disabled people, their families, carers and representative groups have been invited to their insight, experience and expertise as part of this process.
Following the closure of the first stage of the consultation process, a range of online and in-person consultation events will then take place. The outputs of these two stages in the consultation will be analysed in a consultation report which will be published in due course upon completion.
In parallel with this public consultation process, the National Disability Authority (NDA) is conducting research into good practices internationally in incorporating relevant UNCRPD obligations into domestic legislation.
In line with the mainstreaming approach taken in the Strategy, the Department has written to other relevant Departments to notify them of the review of the Disability Act and to enquire about any disability legislation being advanced or planned for in light of UNCRPD commitments. Updates received included information about the Mental Health Act 2026, the Health (Adult Safeguarding) Bill, and the Health (Amendment) (Home Support Providers) Bill 2025. A notification to key stakeholders also issued on the day of the launch of stage one of the public consultation process.