The Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Ms.
Kathleen Lynch, T.D., today announced the publication of the National
Disability Strategy Implementation Plan. This new Plan for the National
Disability Strategy was prepared and agreed by the National Disability
Strategy Implementation Group and submitted to Government on 23 July 2013.
The publication of the Plan, a commitment in the Programme for Government,
is a significant step forward in ensuring progress is achieved in
implementing the National Disability Strategy over the next three years.
The National Disability Strategy is a whole-of-Government approach to
advancing social inclusion of people with disabilities and, in spite of
economic challenges, this Plan has been developed to build on the progress
that has been made to date and to advance Government’s commitment to
improving the lives of people with disabilities.
In announcing the publication, Minister Lynch stated that “this Plan calls
to action all individuals, organisations, local and national Government to
think positively about disability. It is a collaborative effort and an open
invitation to the community and voluntary sectors to work creatively
together with statutory agencies and government departments to improve the
lives of people with disabilities over the next three years. It is an
opportunity to build on the progress achieved by the Strategy to date and
ensure going forward that people with disabilities have more choice and
control in their lives, can reach their full potential and can participate
in the every day life of the community”.
The Plan has a clear citizen focus and is organised around important rights
for citizens with disabilities. All of the actions contained in the Plan
are under the themes of ‘equal citizens’, ‘independence and choice’,
‘participation’ and ‘maximise potential’. The High Level Goals of the Plan
are that people with disabilities are free from discrimination; are
supported to live the life they choose; live ordinary lives in ordinary
places, participating in the life of the community; and are enabled to
reach their full potential. Each Goal has specific objectives and actions
through which it will be achieved. The Plan, as approved, contains strong
oversight mechanisms to ensure delivery of these actions.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D.,
welcomed the publication of the Plan and praised the work undertaken by
Minister Lynch in driving this process. Minister Shatter stated that “the
members of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Group, under the
Chairmanship of Minister Lynch, are to be commended for making our
Programme for Government commitment a reality, for their tireless efforts
in developing a Plan which will lead the way in improving the quality of
life for people with disabilities and for providing the roadmap for
collaborative working across Government and with the disability sector to
achieve our common goals”.
Minister Lynch reaffirmed her commitment to achieving what has been set out
in the Plan and called on her colleagues to “ensure a coordinated, whole of
government approach in delivering on the commitments set out in the Plan
and to consistently promote equality for people with disabilities in both
mainstream and disability specific services”.
The National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan is available on the
Department of Justice and Equality website (www.justice.ie).
29 July 2013
ENDS
Note for Editors:
The publication of this Implementation Plan fulfils the Programme for
Government commitment to “publish, following wide consultation, a realistic
implementation plan for the National Disability Strategy, including
sectoral plans with achievable timescales and targets within available
resources and ensure whole of government involvement and monitoring of the
Strategy, in partnership with the disability sector”.
The Implementation Plan was developed by the National Disability Strategy
Implementation Group (NDSIG), chaired by Minister Lynch, and comprising
representatives from relevant government departments, disability
organisations and people with disabilities appointed in their personal
capacity.
The Implementation Plan was approved by the NDSIG at their meeting of 20
June 2013 and passed by Government on 23 July 2013.