Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 20 March 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007.
Ireland submitted its Initial State Report on the implementation of the UNCRPD to the UN Committee in November 2021, following extensive consultation with persons with disabilities, disabled persons organisations, representative organisations, and families.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is currently awaiting a review date from the UN Committee to evaluate progress made to date. The review was originally anticipated to occur in June of 2022. However, the UN Committee has not communicated a date for the review or given an indication of a likely date for Ireland’s appearance at the Committee.
Ireland's approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of progressive realisation - each year moving forward on key reforms, through delivery of two whole-of-government national strategies - the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES). This model involves obligations arising from the Convention being met over time. On this basis, initial priority has been given to meeting legislative commitments and requirements.