Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
479. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to report on the cost to fully resource the new national disability inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20933/24]
View answerThe National Disability Strategy is at an advanced stage of development, and my Department is leading discussions across government for the development of a framework for ambitious and transformative action on disability. At a time when actions to be delivered under the strategy are still in development and have not been finalised, no costings are available for the full implementation of same.
This Government is committed to the delivery in 2024 of Ireland’s next National Disability Strategy. This is in fulfilment of a Programme for Government commitment to develop an implementation plan to coordinate the delivery of Ireland’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In line with the UNCRPD, Ireland takes a mainstream-first approach to the delivery of disability services. This means that services are delivered in the first instance on the basis of mainstream inclusion, rather than separate or segregated provision. As such, it is incumbent upon all public bodies to execute their functions in a fashion that aligns with the UNCRPD and advances its implementation.
The next National Disability Strategy will provide a whole-of-government framework for coordinated and coherent action on disability, that will support people with disabilities to live full lives of their own choosing. In developing and delivering on the actions under this framework, it will be a matter for each department and aegis body to determine associated costs and manage these from within their budgetary allocations.
