Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2022
306. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he and his Department are taking to meet their public sector duties under Article 19 of the United Nations CRPD, which states that disabled people have a right to live in the community with choices equal to others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52976/22]
View answerI launched a new joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 on 14 January 2022, together with my colleagues Minister Darragh O'Brien T.D. and Ms. Anne Rabbitte, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability (available at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/1c6c5-new-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027-launched)
My Department's remit in relation to providing housing for disabled people is set out in the NHDSP. Among the objectives of the Strategy is to promote the purposes of Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by ensuring that disabled people have equal access to housing and clearer pathways to accessing support services, promoting their inclusion in the community from a housing perspective.
The areas that are to be addressed to deliver on the vision of the Strategy are set out as themes. In particular, Theme 1 of the NHSDP, ‘Accessible Housing and Communities’, is focused on the provision of accessible housing for disabled people, the promotion of accessible communities and universally designed homes.
The NHSDP will operate within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing, including universally designed units, is available to everyone in Irish society, including those with disabilities. Preparation of the Implementation Plan for the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People is at an advanced stage and will be completed by year end.
