First Government Report on its Strategy for Disabled People

Earlier this month the government published the first bi-annual report of progress on the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. The strategy is Ireland’s plan to achieve the rights outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

According to Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and Minister of State with special responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins, the report ‘marks an important milestone in implementing the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People and advancing the rights, inclusion and participation of disabled people in Ireland’.

It was a positive commitment for the government to publish a progress report on its National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. But what do we think about the report and their progress so far?

Overall the first bi-annual report needs more measurable outcomes rather than reporting on processes, structures and activities. The next report needs more details on challenges and solutions.

Here are our top 3 takeaways

Here is our assessment in more detail around independent living, housing, employment, transport and education.  

Independent Living and Personal Assistance

• We welcome increased investment in personal assistance services, respite, residential supports, and the development of a policy framework for community living. 
• But Personal Assistance needs stronger emphasis as a rights-based support, not a social service.
• Future reporting needs to capture the gaps in Personal Assistance support. We need clarity on the the numbers of people waiting for personal assistance and the unmet need that exists.  

Housing

• We welcome the progress on Regional Interagency Groups, the National Housing Strategy review and Universal Design research. 
• The report needs stronger targets around wheelchair accessible social housing.
• Monitoring local authority performance and reducing delays in housing adaptions needs to be addressed in the next report. 

Accessibility and Transport

• We welcome references to universal design principles across housing, tourism, sport, public services and the new vehicle adaption scheme. 
• The report needs to monitor the government’s own commitments around local authority Access & Inclusion Officers. Commitment 12 under the Strategy’s First Programme Plan of Action, pledges a full-time Access and Inclusion Officer within every single local authority. This needs to be delivered. 
• Reporting on the vehicle adaptation scheme needs more detail and results of consultation with stakeholders. 

Employment

• We welcome progress on the expansion of the Wage Subsidy Scheme, Intreo supports and disability employment initiatives in the public sector.  
• The report needs detailed figures about numbers entering sustainable employment and career progression.  
• Stronger reporting is needed on workplace accessibility.  

Education and Transition Pathways

• There has been progress on national transitions policy development, Education Therapy Service and Universal Design for Learning initiatives. 
• But the report needs to establish education as a journey, not the destination. The report must link transition planning to increased results in employment, independent living and community participation outcomes.  

Conclusion

Overall the first bi-annual report needs more measurable outcomes. Future reports need more measurable improvements in the lives of people with disabilities rather than reporting on processes, structures and activities. We need to see progress measured against improvements in independence, participation, accessibility, choice and equality for people with disabilities. 

The next report needs more details on challenges and solutions. More transparent reporting is needed on delays, barriers and corrective actions.