merrion street

The Minister of State with special responsibility for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath today announced details of the new membership of the Disability Stakeholders Group (DSG). 

The Disability Stakeholders Group plays an important role in the review and implementation of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 as well as contributing to the State’s programme of implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities following its ratification earlier this year.

Appointments to the DSG are for a three-year term and are being made following an open selection process where expressions of interest were invited. The purpose of the group is to provide a forum within which disability stakeholders will work with government departments and organisations on departmental consultative committees.

The Group will also present a single voice to Government through the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group (NDISSG) on strategic issues in relation to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, and will assist in monitoring the implementation of the Strategy.  The new group comprises 24 members, which includes both members of disability organisations and individuals with a lived experience of disability. 

The Minister of State is also happy to confirm that the current independent chair of the group, Ms Renee Dempsey, will continue in her role. Ms. Dempsey is the former CEO of the Equality Authority and the former interim Chief Executive of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority.

I would like to thank Ms. Dempsey for agreeing to carry on in the role as independent chair of the Disability Stakeholders Group. Her leadership of the DSG has been invaluable in guiding and driving it forward in its role, and I look forward to continuing to work with Renee into the future.

In announcing the appointments, the Minister thanked all the members of the outgoing Disability Stakeholders Group for their valued contribution over the past four years.