Update: monitoring the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People

Since the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People was published in 2025, the structures to monitor its implementation have been taking shape. Individual government departments lead on the pillars relevant to their areas.

Monitoring Group: second meeting

The second meeting of the Strategy's Monitoring Group took place on 16 July. Chaired by An Taoiseach, the group brings together representatives from umbrella organisations, Disabled Persons' Organisations and senior officials from across government. A number of organisations attending, DFI among them, have collectively sought clarification on how the monitoring structures will work, as these are not yet fully understood.

The meeting also featured a presentation on the Cost of Disability from Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary, followed by discussion. Representing DFI, our Director of Advocacy Emer Begley welcomed the Government's commitment to finding solutions on Cost of Disability, while stressing that any new payment or approach must be co-designed with disabled people. She also highlighted that the Cost of Disability cuts across multiple government departments, and suggested each department set out the specific actions it is taking to address it.

First meeting of the Disability Assembly

Earlier in July, DFI CEO Elaine Teague attended the first meeting of the Disability Assembly, chaired by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. Bringing together DPOs, civil society organisations and service provider umbrella bodies, the Assembly's role is to provide feedback on progress in implementing the Strategy.