Committees to discuss enabling financial independence for women with disabilities

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House between 09:30-12:30. 

The following representatives are due to attend: 

•    Representatives from Disabled Women Ireland, Amy Hassett, Co-Director, Nem Kearns, Board Secretary and Aoife Price, Partnerships and Outreach Lead

•    Representatives from Independent Living Movement Ireland, Paula Soraghan and Nicola Meacle

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Disability Matters Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Moynihan said: “The UN Convention on the rights of people with disabilities (UCRPD) aims to address the inequality of women with disabilities through promoting gender equality and calls on State Parties to take all appropriate and effective measures to ensure the equal right of persons with disabilities to own or inherit property, to control their own financial affairs and to have equal access to bank loans, mortgages and other forms of financial credit.” 

“In light of International Women’s Day, tomorrow’s joint meeting is a welcome opportunity to discuss how many women and women with disabilities lack access to financial services and literacy which can prevent them from participating fully in society.” 

Deputy John McGuinness, Cathaoirleach of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, said: “Our Committee welcomes the opportunity to hold this meeting with our colleagues from the Joint Committee on Disability Matters on this important topic. We look forward to discussing how best to enable the financial independence of women with disabilities in line with Ireland domestic and international obligations.”

Watch the Committee proceedings live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.