Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1196. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the membership of the national disability inclusion strategy transport working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1197. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if disabled persons organisations are represented on the national disability inclusion strategy transport working group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30212/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1196 and 1197 together.
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) is one of two national policy frameworks through which the rights of people with disabilities are advanced in Ireland. Implementation of the NDIS is monitored by the NDIS Steering Group, which I chair.
A Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to drive Action 104 of the NDIS but its work was paused to prioritise initial responses to the pandemic, while the work of the main NDIS Steering Group continued. Action 104 of the NDIS commits that a review will be conducted of existing transport schemes, and a coordinated plan will be developed to enhance the options for transport to work or employment for people with disabilities.
The Transport Working Group's membership is made up of relevant Government Departments, State Agencies and the Disability Stakeholder Group (DSG).
Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) are represented in the DSG, the membership of which was formed on foot of an open call for applicants. Alongside DPO representatives, the DSG membership includes persons with expertise of disability including lives experience and experts by experience, civil society organisations, and persons with academic expertise.
A list of the members of the Transport Working Group is outlined below:
- Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- National Disability Authority
- Department of Social Protection
- National Transport Authority
- Department of Health
- Health Service Executive
- Department of Transport
- Department of Finance
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
- Revenue Commissioners
- Local Government Management Authority
- Irish Wheelchair Association
- Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland
- Disability Stakeholder Group
