Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
40. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any plans to introduce a disability awareness card in conjunction with the European disability card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15655/23]
View answerThe European Commission has announced its intention to introduce a legislative proposal to create a European Disability Card that will be recognised in all Member States. Development of the proposal is currently in its early stages. The Commission conducted a call for evidence to inform an impact assessment in late 2022. A public consultation is currently open for feedback.
The Commission hopes to present its proposal by Q4 2023. The proposal will then be subject to negotiations between the Council and the European Parliament.
Given that development of the European Disability Card is still in its initial stages, the scope and concrete objectives of the card are not yet clear, nor is it clear what national measures will be taken to support implementation of the card.
A pilot programme carried out in some Member States to inform the European Disability Card proposal focused on the areas of culture, leisure, sport and transport.
Ireland looks forward to participating actively in negotiations at EU level on the European Disability Card going forward and sees it as an important tool for promoting greater inclusion of people with disabilities across the EU.
