Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
1191. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure access to elected office for persons with disabilities; and the funding schemes available in this regard. [1725/19]
View answerElectoral law provides that 'a person of unsound mind' is disqualified from seeking election to the Dáil or European Parliament and, from membership of the Seanad. However this provision is to be repealed by the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016, which is currently at Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann.
There are no other barriers in electoral law to persons with a disability seeking elected office. The Department does not provide a funding scheme in this regard.
