Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2016
227. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a campaign (details supplied) by the Disability Federation of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5065/16]
View answerA revised National Disability Inclusion Strategy is currently being prepared on the basis of wide consultation with interested parties in a 3 Phase consultation process. Phases 1 and 2 involving the identification of key themes and building on those through a broad consultation process to produce high-level objectives for the years 2016-2019 have been competed. Phase 3 is due to commence shortly and focus on agreeing specific actions and timeframes in relation to each objective. In summary, the aim is to ensure a rigorous focus on identifying the key themes that impact on the lives of people with disabilities, on identifying agreed objectives within each theme and on developing specific actions to be undertaken to achieve each of the agreed objectives, together with timeframes and key performance indicators so that the new strategy will make a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities.
I welcome the positive engagement of all stakeholders in the process so far, including their participation in the first round of public meetings and in the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group, and look forward to continued engagement by all interested parties, including the Disability Federation of Ireland, in completing and delivering the Strategy.
Furthermore, in autumn 2014, I launched the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with Disabilities. The aim of this strategy was to ensure that the barriers faced by those living with a disability in finding employment could be addressed. I appointed Fergus Finlay as the independent chairperson of the strategy's implementation committee to ensure that the Government is provided with regular updates on the Strategy's progression.
