Listening to the voice of disabled people – Taoiseach Micheál Martin Chairs first meeting of Delivery and Monitoring Committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030
- Foilsithe: 8 Nollaig 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 8 Nollaig 2025
Delivering impact for disabled people - Government publishes the First Programme Plan of Action
The Taoiseach today chaired the inaugural meeting of the Delivery and Monitoring Committee for the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. The committee, which met in Government Buildings, was attended by government ministers responsible for delivering the strategy, including Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, and Minister of State for Disability, Emer Higgins, alongside representatives of Disabled Persons’ Organisations, disability service providers and civil society organisations.
The committee considered the First Programme Plan of Action under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. This plan, which covers 2025 and 2026, details initial measures to deliver on commitments made to ensure disabled people experience real progress in their everyday lives.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:
“Implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People is an important priority for Government and reflects our commitment to ensuring that disabled people are able to get a good education, a meaningful job, have access to healthcare and transport, and can participate fully in their community.
“Delivery and impact are the priority - the First Programme Plan of Action published today details the steps we will take over the next year to start delivering on our promise, so that disabled people can see an impact in their everyday lives. This is just the start of our work.
"Our new approach to disability means putting the views of disabled people at the centre of our work. I am delighted that disabled people organisations and representative groups joined me as participants in the Delivery and Monitoring Committee today, as they will for all future Committee meetings, ensuring accountability and robust oversight. Working with and listening to disabled people will be central to our approach. I look forward to the work ahead and delivering real progress over the next year.”
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley, said:
“In September, I was delighted to join disabled people and colleagues across Government in launching a Strategy that represents so much promise for a more inclusive Ireland, one in which disabled people are empowered to realise their ambitions on the same basis as everyone else.
“Today’s publication of the First Programme Plan of Action is a transparent statement of intent from Government, an unequivocal call to action that details the precise steps we will take over the coming year to start delivering on the promise of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.
"I am grateful to all of the disabled people who contributed to the development of this First Programme Plan of Action and look forward to continuing our collaboration over the next five years.”
Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins said:
“I am delighted to publish the First Programme Plan of Action under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. The Strategy articulates a great sense of ambition and declares Government’s vision for a more inclusive Ireland that we are committed to delivering together. The First Programme Plan tells us how we will get there, setting out the milestones that are so important for tracking progress and ensuring accountability.
"Disabled people and their representative organisations have given so generously of their time in the development of this document, and I would like to thank all of them for their extremely valuable input and determination to ensure that this First Programme Plan sets the foundation to deliver on our commitments over the next 5 years.”