Disability Matters Committee to discuss the lived experience of congregated settings with Inclusion Ireland, Disability Federation of Ireland and the National Advocacy Service

The following representatives are due to appear:

Representatives from Inclusion Ireland, Derval McDonagh. Chief Executive Officer & Paul Alford, Advocacy Project Worker

Representatives from Disability Federation of Ireland, Emer Begley, Director of Advocacy and Inclusion & Ríona Morris, Policy and Research Officer

Representatives from National Advocacy Service, Joanne Condon, Acting National Manager & Suzy Byrne, Greater Dublin Regional Manager

Representatives from Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Barbara O’Connell, Co-Founder and Chief Executive, Karen Foley, Head of Service Operations

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Moynihan said: “Last year, the Committee published a report calling for measures to ensure independent living and inclusion for people with disabilities regarding decisions that affect their lives.

Article 19 of the UNCRPD commits signatories to “recognize the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others”, and to ensure that “persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others and are not obliged to live in a particular living arrangement”.

However, the situation remains that for many people with disabilities in Ireland, they are denied their right to independent living or are living in inappropriate congregated settings and nursing homes due to a lack of alternative options and/or insufficient provision of supports to enable independent living which has been exacerbated by the housing crisis.”

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