Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
377. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way that her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38744/22]
View answerMy Department's Disability Consultative Forum was established in 1996. Meetings of the forum are scheduled on a quarterly basis. The forum provides a space for representative organisations to highlight issues from the perspective of people with disabilities; to discuss solutions; and to share views and perspectives on policy and operational matters. The forum includes a wide membership of disability organisations, the National Disability Authority and representatives from the Citizens Information Board.
In addition to the above, my Department hosts an annual Pre-Budget Forum, which disability representative bodies attend. This will take place later this month. The Department invites submissions from disability representative bodies as part of the Forum.
My Department also hosts two meetings of its Community and Voluntary pillar each year, which representatives from the sector attend. The Department is also represented on various groups, such as, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy Implementation Group with representatives from the sector.
As part of its commitment under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, my Department convenes quarterly meetings of its Disability Consultative Committee. This committee is attended by the Disability Stakeholders Group and a National Disability Authority representative. This committee discusses and monitors delivery of the Department’s commitments under the Strategy. The Disability Stakeholders Group reports twice a year to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group on the progress the Department has made.
Furthermore, my Department hosts its Annual Carers Forum as part of its commitments under the National Carers’ Strategy. The purpose of the Forum is to provide carers with a voice at policy level. It also provides an opportunity for engagement between officials and people experiencing care issues first-hand.
My Department also consults widely as part of it review processes. Currently the Department is reviewing its Reasonable Accommodation Fund grants. As part of this review, a public consultation was undertaken from the end of March to mid–May. To reach as many people as possible the consultation was publicised using print, radio and digital media channels.
In addition, my Department presented at two information sessions held by the Disability Participation and Consultation Network. This network has been established by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as part of an approach to ensure effective consultation with the sector, as required under the UN Convention on the Rights Of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
It is worth noting that under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the National Disability Authority are developing an implementation approach with regard to the UNCRPD, including consultation processes. Once approved, the approaches identified are to be adopted by departments and their agencies as part of their own implementation planning.
