Disability Matters Committee to resume discussion on Disability Inclusive Social Protection

The following representatives are due to appear:

• Officials from Dept. of Social Protection, Rónán Hession, Assistant Secretary & Sarah Waters, Principal Officer
• Officials from Dept. of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Denise Kennedy, Assistant Secretary General, Head of HR & Corporate Affairs, Kevin Galligan, Principal Officer & Colm McKiernan, Principal Officer
• Officials from Dept. of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, John Maher, Principal Officer
• Officials from Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Patrick O'Sullivan, Principal Officer & Clare Naughton, Assistant Principal

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Moynihan said: "The UNCRPD adopts a broad understanding of social protection that effectively contributes to the realisation of essential rights such as social security, adequate standards of living, living independently in the community and access to health care, education, and employment.  Implementation of these rights involves a high level of collaboration between central and local government along with consultation with people with disabilities and their Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs).

The Committee are looking forward to discussing how Ireland can move to become a leader and move away from the welfare model to a rights-based model of disability where economic development includes people with disabilities and their contribution to society."

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