Ciara Conway
Question:508. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when Ireland will adopt Article 19 of the UN convention into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36064/13]
View answerThursday, 18 July 2013
Questions (508, 556)
Joanna Tuffy
Question:556. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when he intends to introduce legislation which recognises the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community as set out in Article 19 of the UN Convention which Ireland agreed to, in principal, in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36398/13]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 and 556 together.
It is the Government's intention to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure that all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are being met. As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland does not become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by the treaty in question, including amending domestic law as necessary.
The ongoing implementation of our National Disability Strategy in many respects comprehends many of the provision of the Convention. In addition, the Inter-Department Committee on the Convention monitors the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable ratification. The Committee has identified, as part of its work programme, issues to be considered by various Government Departments. It is a matter for those Departments to determine whether any actions are required in relation to these issues in advance of ratification and report back to the Committee.
Regarding Article 19 on living independently and being included in the community, this is a matter for all Departments. As some examples, I refer the Deputy to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government's "National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011-2016" and the Department of Health's "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion". In my Department, the services and facilities provided for the general population are available, in so far as possible, on an equal basis to persons with disabilities.