As the Deputy is aware, Article 33 of the Convention requires State Parties to designate a focal point within Government for matters relating to the implementation of the Convention, and to establish a framework, including one or more independent mechanisms, to promote, protect and monitor implementation of the CRPD. It also requires the involvement and participation of civil society, in particular, persons with disabilities, in the monitoring process.
The Equality Division in the Department of Justice and Equality has been designated as the focal point. Equality Division has policy responsibility for disability and equality, and domestic human and fundamental rights. The Division provides the Secretariat to the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group (NDSIG) which I chair.
The monitoring framework will include both the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and the National Disability Authority (NDA) to be governed by a formal Memorandum of Understanding. The IHREC Act 2014 was designed to ensure that IHREC, as Ireland’s National Human Rights Institution, fully meets the standard of independence in accordance with the Paris Principles, and is best placed to make periodic independent reports to the UN, supported by progress assessments and statistical information supplied by the NDA. The NDA has expertise and information resources in relation to reporting on disability issues.
Ongoing progress and implementation will be internally monitored through the structures in place to support the implementation of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS). The NDIS was published on 14 July 2017 and its implementation is monitored by a Steering Group which comprises the key departments, the National Disability Authority and the Disability Stakeholders Group. The Strategy is an all-of-Government approach and focuses on eight key themes including equality and choice, the provision of services, accommodation, health, employment, transport and education.
