Disability Matters Committee to meet with disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody and the Disabled Persons Network

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 1 of Leinster House between 09:30-11:30. 

The following representatives from DisabIity Network Ireland are due to appear: 

Lianne Quigley, Chairperson, Irish Deaf Society (IDS)

John Sherwin, CEO of the Irish Deaf Society

Damien Walsh, Independent Living Movement Ireland 

Disability Rights Campaigner, Cara Darmody will also appear. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Maurice Quinlivan said: “We welcome the opportunity to discuss progressing the delivery of disability policy and services with disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody and DPO representatives.” 

“Disability rights campaigner Cara Darmody recently held a 50 hour long protest outside Leinster House over delays in accessing an assessment of needs and services for young people with disabilities and is a vocal advocate for her two younger brothers who are autistic.”

“We will also hear from representatives from the DPO Network - an alliance of five national Disabled Persons’ Organisations in Ireland who will discuss the need to see progress on the design and delivery of policy relating to disabled people’s lives in Ireland.”

"The DPO Network views co-creation as the process that needs to underpin how the State works with DPOs info the future, locally and nationally, into the future. Co-creation is an inclusive and collaborative process where all stakeholders work together to develop, put in place, monitor and review policy and other actions to foster the meaningful inclusion and rights of disabled people in society.”

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