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Rights of People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021

Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Questions (483)

Holly Cairns

Question:

483. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made towards action 53 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38083/21]

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Written answers

Action 53 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) commits that ‘We will develop proposals to address access to, or affordability of necessary aids, appliances or assistive technologies required for everyday living, for those people with disabilities whose entry, retention or return to work could be jeopardised due to being unable to afford these items. We will develop plans to implement the most viable proposals’.

Following the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice and Equality to this Department, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth is now the lead on this action, supported by the National Disability Authority.

In order to progress Action 53 an Assistive Technology Working Group was established. An initial meeting took place in February 2020 in which Terms of Reference and expanded membership of the group was discussed. However, following the emergence of COVID-19 ,the work of the group was paused.

The group re-convened in June 2021. It is coordinated by my Department and includes membership from a number of Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and independent experts who bring both lived and professional expertise to the group. The group has agreed to finalise Terms of Reference and to begin a planned course of work that will conclude with the provision of a report and practical and implementable recommendations to the NDIS Steering Group which is chaired by my colleague the Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D.

Question No. 484 answered with Question No. 482.
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