2913. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on progress to meet her commitments under the National Human Rights Strategy for disabled people; the measures taken since the strategy was introduced; the key metrics identified to measure progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter [60741/26]

2977. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to report on progress to implement the national human rights strategy for disabled people; to report on the programme plan of action for the first two years; to provide this programme plan; to outline the way the key priority actions under each commitment will be delivered, and by whom; the timeframe for delivery, and relevant key performance indicators; and the progress to date. [60767/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2913 and 2977 together.

I propose to take PQ 60741/26 and PQ 60767/26 together. I thank the Deputy for these questions. Following on from the launch of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 and the publication of the First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 considerable progress has been made in delivering across the Strategy.

In line with its overarching whole-of-government approach, delivery on the actions and commitments under the Strategy’s five pillars are being led by several Government Departments and public bodies as befits their remits.

The First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 clearly sets out how the priority actions under each commitment will be delivered by various lead government departments and public bodies, the timeframe for delivery, and the success indicators by which performance will be measured.

It is the first of a total of three two-year Programme Plans of Action which will guide the Strategy’s implementation, ensuring dynamic, agile and effective delivery on all commitments and priority actions.

To ensure the commitments outlined in the Strategy and Programme Plans of Action are met, robust delivery and monitoring structures have been co-designed with stakeholders.

The publication of bi-annual reports outlining progress on commitments and actions as set out in the Programme Plans of Action is a key commitment in the Strategy. The first set of bi-annual reports were reviewed by the Delivery and Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Taoiseach, on 16 July and were published on 22 July online.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality has overall responsibility for coordinating the Strategy across Government and is leading on the delivery of the commitments and priority actions under Pillar Three while also implementing actions that lie within its remit across Strategy Pillars.

Some key developments in relation to the Department’s progress to date include the following:

• Budget 2026 included significant improvements in the provisions for respite and residential placements and in the Personal Assistance Service.

• Robust stakeholder engagement structures have been established and include a Disabled Persons’ Organisation (DPO) Group, Disability Assembly and Pillar Groupings. The structures have a strong focus on ensuring that the voice of disabled people is guiding delivery of the Strategy and providing effective oversight and accountability throughout its lifetime.

• The Power to Participate: Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement Fund 2026 has been launched, and will provide up to €750,000 to Disabled Persons’ Organisations and Civil Society Organisations to strengthen their capacity to engage strategically with the State specifically in relation to the delivery of the Strategy.

• A new Vision and Strategy Team has been established within the Department. Its work is focusing on developing a vision and reform strategy for specialist disability and support services out to 2030.

For the latter half of this year, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality will continue to work on delivering on all its commitments and priority actions to ensure this Strategy will advance the rights of disabled people in our country.

I look forward to continuing to work with colleagues across Government to progress delivery across all five pillars over the remainder of this year as well as the next five years.