Working together to deliver on Ireland’s New Disability Human Rights Strategy
November 7 2025, 04:19pm
Key discussions from DFI’s Strategic General Meeting with Minister Hildegarde Naughton
We held our November Strategic General Meeting, SGM yesterday in the National Library of Ireland, an increasingly accessible space that, as our CEO Elaine Teague noted, “belongs to all of us.”
Members gathered in person and online for an important discussion about the implementation of Ireland’s new National Disability Human Rights Strategy, joined by Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with responsibility for Disability, Hildegarde Naughton TD.
The meeting brought together DFI members, access officers, and colleagues from state institutions to discuss how the strategy can move from aspiration to action, and how disabled people and their organisations will play a central role in ensuring its delivery.
“From whole-of-government to whole-of-society”
In her opening remarks, Elaine set the tone for the session, urging members to think collectively about how to make the new strategy real in people’s lives:
“We hear a lot about a whole-of-government approach, but people don’t live in government departments, they live in communities. What we need now is a whole-of-society approach to human rights.”
Elaine welcomed the Minister’s recent engagement across the country and emphasised that DFI’s role, and that of its members, is to collaborate while holding government to account for progress on rights, equality and inclusion.
Minister Naughton: “This is a living strategy — my door is open.”
Minister Naughton joined our Director of Advocacy Emer Begley in a discussion about the implentation of the STrategy. the Minister thanked DFI and its member organisations for their expertise and contributions to shaping the strategy:
“We could not have designed this strategy, and we cannot implement it, without you. The consultation process was about genuine participation, hearing from people who are often unseen or unheard across society.”
The Minister confirmed that each government department has submitted two-year action plans under the strategy’s five key pillars. These plans will be shared with disability organisations for feedback before publication, to ensure accountability and transparency.
She stressed that the strategy will remain flexible and responsive:
“It’s a living document. We won’t get everything right, but we will listen, we will adapt, and we will keep engaging with the disability community.”
Funding, accountability and cross-departmental action
Minister Naughton highlighted the 20% increase in the disability budget this year, now €3.8 billion, as “a foundation to stabilise services.” But she also emphasised that real progress depends on other departments stepping up.
“It can’t just be about one department. Transport, housing, education, social protection. Every area of government has a responsibility. And the Cabinet Committee on Disability will ensure we track that progress.”
A key feature of implementation will be a traffic-light system to monitor departmental progress against agreed KPIs. The Minister also confirmed that Disabled Persons Organisations, DPOs will sit alongside departments on each of the five pillar groups and participate in the national monitoring committee chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach.
Members’ questions: turning strategy into change
DFI members raised a series of focused, constructive questions around implementation.
Among the key themes:
Assistive technology and AI: The Minister acknowledged the sector’s expertise and called for input on best-practice models, saying:
“If there are examples of assistive technology that can be transformational, we need to hear about them.”
Employment and the benefit trap: Members from Rehab Group highlighted the need for concrete targets and reform of disincentives to work. The Minister agreed that cross-departmental accountability is essential, with regular oversight from the Taoiseach’s office.
Specialist services and early intervention: The Minister described plans for new regional structures and “single points of access” within the HSE to ensure people get support at the right time and in the right place.
Decongregation and independent living: She committed to increasing capital investment and linking new housing developments to disability inclusion, saying:
“When a new housing estate is built, part of it must be for people with disabilities.”
Personal Assistance (PA) services: The Minister assured members that PA will remain distinct from home care in upcoming legislation and reiterated her commitment to expanding access to PA supports.
“We’ll keep the pressure on.”
In closing, DFI’s Dr. Emer Begley thanked the Minister for her openness and constructive dialogue:
“There’s a real desire across the disability community for this strategy to be transformative. We all want to play our role in making it real.”
Elaine Teague echoed that message as the Minister departed:
“We take from today permission to keep being challenging, to keep highlighting what still needs to change. The Minister has invited accountability, and we intend to deliver on that.”
Next steps
DFI will continue to engage closely with the Department of Children, Disability Equality, DCDE and the new Implementation and Monitoring Committee. Members will be kept informed as the two-year action plans are published for consultation.