Implementing and Monitoring
Ireland’s National Disability Strategy:
Who, How and When?
The Centre for Disability Law and Policy has conducted a research project called
Advancing Ireland’s National Disability Strategy: Building on
Comparative and International Innovation
. Dr. Eilionóir Flynn is the researcher for this project and has also written a book about the research for Cambridge
University Press, called From Rhetoric to Action: Implementing the UN
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities – the use of National
Disability Strategies which is due to be published in 2011. The documents produced at today’s conference on 10 December 2010 are summaries of some of the findings from this research project and are focused on the Irish
National Disability Strategy.
This document sets out who is responsible for implementing and monitoring
Ireland’s National Disability Strategy and explains how the strategy is managed by government departments, public bodies, disability organisations, social partners and others at national level. It also explains how government departments in Ireland are preparing to ratify the UN Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities and who is involved in this process. Finally, it suggests some ways in which people with disabilities, their family members, organisations and other individuals can get involved or find out more about the progress of the National Disability Strategy. The Centre for Disability Law and Policy will publish these documents on its website and keep these updated at regular intervals.
Introduction
Responsibility for delivering the National Disability Strategy is divided among various government departments and public bodies. Therefore, processes for implementing and monitoring the strategy occur at a number of different levels. This document sets out the overall implementation and monitoring process for the National Disability Strategy at national level, and includes information on specific implementation and monitoring mechanisms used by
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various departments and public bodies, to measure progress in achieving goals set out in the National Disability Strategy (e.g. as described in individual
Sectoral Plans, legislation and policy which make up the National Disability
Strategy).
Information on co-ordination and co-operation between departments and public bodies on issues of relevance to people with disabilities is also included, along with some examples of local consultation and policydevelopment processes which people with disabilities and their families can get involved in. Although these local mechanisms might be more focused on local issues than on the National Disability Strategy as a whole, they can act as a useful starting point for discussions about what the National Disability
Strategy means at local level.
This document is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of every single committee, forum and group which is engaged in discussions about implementing and monitoring Ireland’s National Disability Strategy. Rather it aims to provide an illustrative guide to some of the main mechanisms which exist for implementing and monitoring the strategy, so that people with disabilities, their families and carers, can learn about how the strategy works, and perhaps identify some ways in which they can become more involved in monitoring its implementation, or which departments, organisations or committees they can approach with a specific issue.
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1. National Level
The National Disability Strategy Stakeholders Monitoring Group (NDSSMG) monitors the s trategy’s implementation at national level and reports to the
Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion.
1 This group is made up of two main subgroups: the Disability Stakeholders Group (national organisations representing people with disabilities, families and service providers) and the
Senior Officials Group on Disability (government departments responsible for implementing disability policy). Social partners (Irish Congress of Trade
Unions, Irish Business and Employers Confederation) also attend the
NDSSMG, as does the National Disability Authority. Finally, some public bodies with responsibility for developing and implementing disability policy, or providing guidance to government can also attend at the request of a particular department such as the National Council for Special Education, the
Health Services Executive and FAS (the national vocational training body).
The diagram below explains how the NDSSMG and its subgroups operate and which departments and bodies are represented on these.
People with disabilities and their families can have a say in the issues discussed by the NDSSMG by contacting representatives of the disability organisations who attend these meetings. Some disability organisations, such as the Disability Federation of Ireland, include information on the outcomes or issues discussed at the NDSSMG in monthly newsletters circulated to all members. At the moment, the Disability Stakeholders Group as a whole does not produce a newsletter with updates about the NDSSMG but this possibility has been discussed.
1 This Committee is supported by a Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion, which comprises senior civil servants from the relevant government departments. Such committees are established by government to assist it in carrying out its responsibilities and have a membership comprising two or more members of Government (and may also include the
Attorney General and Ministers of State). This committee must present a report to government once a year which can highlight substantive issues for government approval. For more information see Department of An Taoiseach, Cabinet Handbook (Dublin: Stationery
Office, 2007).
3

4

Key to diagram above
The departments marked ^ are legally obliged to prepare Sectoral Plans under section 31 of the Disability Act 2005.
* This was a government appointment made by the Taoiseach in 2006. Dr.
Angela Kerins was the Chairperson of the National Disability Authority at that time but her appointment as Chairperson of the DSG was not related to her position in the NDA but based on her experience in the disability sector in Ireland. Dr. Kerins is currently the Chief Executive Officer of the
Rehab Group.
** Due to a cabinet reshuffle in 2010 the Disability Equality Unit in the
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform was renamed the
Disability Policy Division and relocated to the Department of Community,
Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. As such, it appears that the Department of
Justice and Law Reform is no longer represented on the NDSSMG.
*** The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment was renamed the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation in 2010.
**** The Department of Education and Science was renamed the
Department of Education and Skills in 2010.
***** The Department of Social and Family Affairs was renamed the
Department of Social Protection in 2010.
A. The National Disability Strategy Stakeholder Monitoring Group
The NDSSMG meets twice a year. At each meeting, government department representatives present a 6 month progress report. The content of the report varies depending on the department. For example, departments which are
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obliged to prepare a sectoral plan under the Disability Act (marked ^ above) 2 present on how the goals set out in the sectoral plan have been achieved. A
Sectoral Plan is a plan which sets out what actions that department will take to make sure people with disabilities are more included and have more opportunities to participate in society. Departments which do not have a
Sectoral Plan (e.g. the Department of Education and Skills) report on what work they are doing to include people with disabilities and improve public services for people with disabilities. The Department of An Taoiseach chairs the meeting and may report on national issues relating to the implementation of the National Disability Strategy. The Department of Finance presents a report on disability expenditure, based on information collected from all other departments.
People with disabilities and their families can have a say in the issues discussed by the NDSSMG by contacting representatives of the disability organisations who attend these meetings. Some disability organisations, such as the Disability Federation of Ireland, include information on the outcomes or issues discussed at the NDSSMG in monthly newsletters circulated to all members. At the moment, the Disability Stakeholders Group as a whole does not produce a newsletter with updates about the NDSSMG but this possibility has been discussed.
B. The Senior Officials Group on Disability
Ten government departments are represented in the Senior Officials Group.
All six government departments which prepare Sectoral Plans under the
Disability Act 2005 are represented, along with other departments which play a key role in developing and implementing policies affecting people with disabilities (e.g. the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of An
Taoiseach, the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs and the Department of Finance). The only departments which are not represented
2 These government departments are as follows: the Department of Health and Children, the
Department of Social Protection, the Department of Transport, the Department of
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and
Innovation and the Department of the Environment, Housing and Local Government.
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are the Department of Foreign Affairs the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Defence and the Department of Tourism. All least one representative from each of the departments on the Senior Officials
Group will attend the group’s meetings, and some departments have two representatives.
The Senior Officials Group meets twice a year, before the bi-annual NDSSMG meetings. At meetings of the Senior Officials Group, issues of national importance arising from departments’ progress reports to the NDSSMG, the budget, or other relevant national issues relating to disability are discussed.
These meetings are also an opportunity for government department representatives to discuss any cross-cutting issues which require co-operation with other departments or public bodies. Some departments which attend the
Senior Officials Group have a dedicated unit or division which deals with disability policy (e.g. the Disability policy Division in the Department of
Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs). Other departments send representatives from co-ordination units within the department (e.g. units which gather information on the department’s sectoral plan (e.g. the
Coordination Unit in the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources).
C. The Disability Stakeholders Group
Six national organisations represent the disability community on the Disability
Stakeholders Group (DSG). The Not for Profit Business Association represents service providers to people with physical and sensory disabilities and the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies represents service providers to people with intellectual disabilities. Inclusion Ireland is a national organisation promoting the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and includes family members, individuals, and organisations providing support to people with disabilities in its membership. Mental health organisations were originally represented in the DSG by Mental Health Ireland, but when this group withdrew in 2009, the Irish Mental Health Coalition (a group of organisations campaigning for better mental health services and supports)
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took its place. People with Disabilities in Ireland is a national group made up of over 30 local networks of people with disabilities (across all disability types) and is solely funded by the Department of Justice. Finally, the Disability
Federation of Ireland is the national support organisation for voluntary disability organisations in Ireland which provide services to people with disabilities (across all disability types).
When government departments were drawing up sectoral plans, the National
Disability Authority was asked to nominate six groups which could represent the disability sector in further discussions on developing the sectoral plans and implementing the National Disability Strategy. The DSG did not publish its terms of reference and it is not clear what the duration of appointments are. If an organisation leaves the group, it appears to be the responsibility of the group as a whole to nominate a new group as a replacement. Members of the
DSG are assigned specific roles to shadow various government departments and may hold DSG sub-committee meetings on these topics, requesting information from a broader group of disability organisations on priorities for action or questions which should be asked of particular government departments.
The DSG has made a number of significant improvements to the monitoring process since its inception. For example, it assisted government departments to develop a template for their 6-monthly progress reports 3 to ensure that there is a consistent standard of reporting. The group also requested that departmental consultative fora meetings be held shortly before NDSSMG meetings, to ensure that any questions which need to be asked at departmental level are dealt with in the appropriate forum, allowing the
NDSSMG to focus on issues of national importance. It is important to remember that there is no other area of policy-making in Ireland where all government departments must meet twice a year with representative voluntary organisations to report on progress, and this achievement in itself is highly significant. In addition, the submissions of the DSG collectively and
3 See for example, the template used by the Department of Transport, http://www.transport.ie/upload/general/12284-4TH_PROGRESS_REPORT_PART_3-4.DOC.
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individually to progress reports on sectoral plans, the review of the Disability
Act and pre-budget submissions have also had an impact on recent policy developments.
D. Social Partners and Others
The other groups which attend NDSSMG meetings are social partners
(organisations representing employers and trade unions) and the National
Disability Authority. Based on the system of social partnership in Ireland, where national employers’ associations and trade union groups are involved in developing national policy e.g. ( Towards 2016: Ten Year Framework Social
Partnership Agreement 2006-2015 ) these groups are also invited to NDSSMG meetings as they can discuss how the implementation of the National
Disability Strategy affects members of their organisations. The current social partners represented on the NDSSMG are the Irish Business and Employers
Confederation and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
The National Disability Authority plays an important role in the NDSSMG and in advancing the National Disability Strategy. As a public body, it is involved in implementing the National Disability Strategy, in accordance with obligations under the Disability Act 2005 (e.g. requirements to make public services accessible). It also monitors elements of the National Disability Strategy (e.g. compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act which sets out that 3% of the employees of public bodies should be people with disabilities). The National
Disability Authority also works with government departments
E. The National Disability Strategy and the United Nations Convention on the
Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)
Ireland has signed but has yet not ratified the CRPD, the first United Nations treaty which specifically recognises the rights of people with disabilities. The
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Convention sets out all the rights of people with disabilities which states should protect and an easy to read version is available online.
4
Irish government departments participate in an Interdepartmental Committee on the CRPD, which was set up to discuss any issues which need to be dealt with before Ireland ratifies the Convention. This committee includes representatives from the following Departments: Department of Justice and
Law Reform, Department of Social Protection, Department of Foreign Affairs, department of Education and Skills, Department of Employment, Trade and
Innovation, Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,
Department of the Environment, Housing and Local Government, Department of Health and Children, Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport,
Department of Defence, Department of Transport and Department of
Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs. The Office of Public Works is the only public body which is not a government department and is represented on the committee. These departments (and the Office for Public Works) were selected because some of their work relates to people with disabilities and to articles contained in the Convention. This committee meets twice a year as a full group, although some departments may meet separately to discuss particular issues. The Disability Policy Division in the Department of
Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs chairs the committee.
This committee has developed a Work Programme to look at any parts of the
National Disability Strategy which must be changed because of the
Convention and any other reforms which are required for ratification. An example of legislation required for ratification of the UNCRPD is the Mental
Capacity Bill, which is expected to be published in the coming months. This
Bill will reform the law on people with disabilities making decisions.
4 The easy to read version is available on the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies website, http://www.fedvol.ie/_fileupload/File/UN%20Convention%20for%20Persons%20with%20Disa bilities.pdf.
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2. Departmental level
In addition to preparing progress reports and attending the NDSSMG and
SOGD, many government departments (and some public bodies under the remit of government departments) have their own disability consultative forum or sectoral plan advisory/monitoring committee. These are generally used to discuss the implementation of the department’s sectoral plan (if it has one), new policy proposals from the department and their potential impact on people with disabilities and their families. National disability organisations such as those represented on the DSG and others (often impairment-specific groups such as the National Council for the Blind of Ireland and the Irish
Wheelchair Association) are represented on these departmental groups.
Again, these groups present an opportunity for people with disabilities and their families to become involved in discussions about policy and what future changes might mean for them. A number of these consultative, advisory and monitoring groups are listed below. Some of the disability organisations represented on these consultative fora include information in their newsletters about progress made or issues raised at these meetings. In addition, some organisations include in their newsletters lists of representatives which attend these meetings on behalf of the organisation and their contact details for anyone who wants to raise an issue for discussion at the next meeting. This is another way in which people with disabilities and family members can become involved in policy development, implementation and monitoring.
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION
Disability Consultative Forum
Members: Department officials, the National Disability Authority, Citizens
Information Board, Inclusion Ireland, Disability Federation of Ireland, Mental
Health Association, People with Disabilities in Ireland, Irish Wheelchair
Association, Federation of Voluntary Bodies, and the Health Services
Executive.
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Functions:
 Monitors the implementation of the department’s disability policies in general, including its sectoral plan

Reviews full versions of the biannual progress reports (including a status report on every initiative outlined in the sectoral plan) on implementing the NDS which are prepared for the senior officials group

Has been in operation since 1996 in an advisory capacity, makes recommendations for policy reform within department
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT
Public Transport Accessibility Committee
Functions:

Established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness in July
2000 and is the primary consultative forum on the issue of public transport accessibility

The Public Transport Advisory Committee has become the Public
Transport Accessibility Committee (PTAC) – a consultative forum dedicated to overseeing implementation of the sectoral plan commitments and advising the department on future disability policy.

Advises the Minister on the accessibility aspects of public transport investment projects and on other public transport accessibility issues

Remit has been expanded so that stakeholders have a monitoring role in relation to progress in implementing the Sectoral Plan and evaluating the impact of the Plan
Public Transport Partnership Forum
Functions :

Deals with issues of accessibility amongst other concerns in a broad consultative mechanism under the social partnership model.
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
The Public Transport Partnership Forum was established under the
Programme for Prosperity and Fairness 2000 - 2003 and its consultative remit regarding public transport issues was renewed under
Sustaining Progress 2003 - 2005. Meets twice yearly and produces reports.

The purpose of the Public Transport Partnership Forum is to provide an opportunity for consultation on public transport matters and for the development of ideas for the improvement of public transport, primarily because of its role in improving people's quality of life.
Disability User Groups
Various companies under the remit of the Department have formed user groups formed from regular public transport users with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairments. These user groups are invaluable in the planning, design and operation of successful public transport services. Guidelines for
Disability User Groups have been prepared by the NDA and the Department of Transport in consultation with the Public Transport Accessibility Committee to provide guidance on the types of terms of reference, meeting processes and review mechanisms which should be in place for each user groups.
Disability user groups have already been established by Bus Éireann, Bus
Átha Cliath, Iarnród Éireann, Railway Procurement Agency / Veolia Transport and by the Dublin Airport Authority. In addition, the Maritime Passenger
Transport Forum also includes representation from a number of organisations representing people with disabilities. In 2008, the Commission for Taxi
Regulation is in the process of establishing a regular communications process with key national and regional disability groups. This will not only allow mutual exchange of information, but also support the involvement of people with disabilities in various pilots, and regulatory review processes.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND CHILDREN
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National Disability Advisory Committee
The National Disability Advisory Committee (NDAC) was established in 2007.
The Committee is representative of people with disabilities and other key stakeholders, including the Health Services Executive, the National Disability
Authority (NDA) and the Department of Education and Skills.
Members: Disability Federation of Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, Mental Health
Commission, National Disability Authority, National Federation of Voluntary
Bodies, Not for Profit Business Association, Mr Tom Kelleher
Functions :

Provides a forum to inform policy at national level in relation to services for people with disabilities;

Forms part of the overall monitoring mechanism in relation to the implementation of the National Disability Strategy in so far as it relates to the health services;

Advises the Minister for Health and Children on progress in the implementation of the Disability Act 2005 within the health services.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, ENERGY AND NATURAL
RESOURCES
Sectoral Plan Monitoring Committee
Members : Mr. Mike Byrne, Communication Regulator (Chairperson), Mr.
Do nie O’Shea, National Disability Authority, Mr. Pat Kenny, Communication
Workers Union, Mr. Ciarán Gogarty, Electricity Supply Board, Mr. Denis
Maher, Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Functions:

Extracted concrete commitments from Sectoral Plan and reported on current status and date of proposed completion
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
Reported to Minister of Communication, Energy and Natural Resources in 2007 and 2009 on Sectoral Plan monitoring
DEPARTMENT OF ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND INNOVATION
Consultative Forum on an Employment Strategy for People with
Disabilities
In accordance with a key priority identified in the Sectoral Plan, the
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment established, in 2007, a
Consultative Forum on an Employment Strategy.
Members : Rehab, Disability Federation of Ireland, National Federation of
Voluntary Bodies, Not for Profit Business Association, People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI), Mental Health Ireland, Inclusion Ireland, Forum of People with Disabilities, IASE, CNEASTA, Irish Advocacy Network, AHEAD, IBEC,
ISME, ICTU , SFA, Kanchi, Department of Social and Family Affairs,
Department of Health & Children, Department of Education & Science, FÁS,
Office of Disability and Mental Health, National Disability Authority, Health
Services Executive
Functions:

Provides a channel for key stakeholders to discuss broad strategic issues that directly or indirectly impact on vocational training and employment for people with disabilities.

Actively engages in discussions with the Department on a range of policy issues relating to the labour market participation of people with disabilities.

Provides a valuable framework and reference point for views and expertise for the Department in the development of an outline for a
Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities.
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, HERITAGE AND LOCAL
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GOVERNMENT
Disability Act Sectoral Plan Advisory Committee (DASPAC)
Members: Representatives of the Department of Environment, Heritage and
Local Government, Department of Transport, people with disabilities, the
National Disability Authority, bodies under the aegis of the Department of
Environment, Heritage and Local Government and local authorities
Functions :

Assists in consultation on central disability policy issues

Reviews progress at national level on implementation of the objectives and policies set out in the sectoral plan

Reviewed Sectoral Plan as part of preparation of 2009 Sectoral Plan
Progress Report
C. Cross-sectoral/ cross-departmental Committees
Although many of the consultative fora and monitoring/advisory committees described above already contain representation from other government departments and public bodies, some specific cross-sectoral or crossdepartmental working groups or committees have also been established.
These groups discuss issues affecting people with disabilities where cooperation between the relevant departments is particularly important and where the issues would not be fully addressed in a consultative group where many other issues relating to that specific department are being discussed.
In addition to the groups listed below, other departments and public bodies organise working groups on particular issues of interest to people with disabilities from time to time. For example, the Department of Transport worked with local authorities by way of the County & City Managers
Association and the accessibility committee of the Local Government
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Management Services Board to develop accessible bus stops to interact with the new wheelchair accessible coaches.
Department of Health and Children and Department of Education and
Skills
Cross-Sectoral Team
Members : Office of the Minister for Disability and Mental Health, Department of Health and Children, National Council for Special Education, Health
Services Executive, Department of Education and Skills
Functions :

Plans for the further commencement of Part 2 of the Disability Act in tandem with the commencement of the Education of Persons with
Special Educational Needs Act.

Examines implications of extension of the statutory requirements of
Part 2 of the Disability Act to adults

Established a sub-group to prepare Standards for the Assessment of
Need. The Standards for the Assessment of Need Sub-Group had representation from the DOHC, the HSE, DES, the National
Educational Psychological Service, NCSE, Mental Health Commission,
NDA and the Interim Health Information and Quality Authority
Protocols Sub-Group of the Cross-Sectoral Team
A Protocols Sub-Group of the Cross Sectoral Team was established in early
2008 and has held regular meetings since then. Interim working arrangements between the health and education sectors for the referral of children aged under 5 are in the process of being finalised and should be available to practitioners shortly. An interim protocol has been agreed between HSE,
NCSE and NEPS for desktop assessment of education needs, based on
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reports of health related professionals. Procedures for localised referral to
SENOs under Section 8(3) have been developed with NCSE and NEPS. A monitoring system has been developed to address locally identified issues. In addition the HSE is developing a guidance document to assist Assessment
Officers in liaison arrangements between the health and education sectors.
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and Department of
Health and Children
Cross-Sectoral Group
Members : Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Department of
Health and Children, Department of Social Protection, FAS, HSE
Functions :

To develop a strategic framework to facilitate and promote access to employment for persons with a disability based on the commitments in the Sectoral Plans

To formulate a comprehensive employment strategy as part of the strategic framework

To develop an appropriate continuum of training and employment support services, and improving and developing the employment opportunities for people with disabilities

To inform future action on employment issues

To monitor the implementation of the strategic framework on employment
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and
Department of Health and Children
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Members: Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
(Chair), Department of Health and Children, the Health Services Executive, and Local Authorities
Functions:

Develop protocol to govern arrangements between the HSE and Local
Authorities in relation to likely housing needs identified under the assessment of need process (for under fives as Part 2 of the Disability
Act has commenced for this age cohort).

The protocol, agreed by the Group in July 2007, is being implemented.
Information relating to the protocol is available on both the DOHC and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government websites.
Department of Health and Children and the Health Services Executive
Monitoring Group for Part 2 of Disability Act 2005
Members: Department of Health and Children, Health Services Executive
Functions:

Discusses significant issues relating to the implementation of Part 2
(independent assessments of need and service statements) as they arise

Developed performance indicators for assessments of need included in
HSE Service Plan and reported on a quarterly basis
D. Employment Quota Monitoring Committees
The Disability Act requires all public bodies to employ a minimum of 3% quota for people with disabilities in the public service, 5 and to establish a monitoring
5 Disability Act 2005, section 47(4).
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committee for this purpose.
6 The Act also states that at least one person on this monitoring committee must be a representative of people with disabilities.
7 Some government departments have established monitoring committees separately from (or in place of) a disability consultative forum or sectoral plan monitoring/advisory committee. Others, as demonstrated above, consider compliance with the 3% target within their disability consultative forum / advisory committee.
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Employment Quota Monitoring Committee
Members: Representative of Department of the Environment, Heritage and
Local Government, a representative of persons with disabilities (may be a member of the staff of a public body), representative of public bodies as employers or of employers generally, and a representative of employees of the public bodies concerned or of employees generally.
Functions:

Monitors compliance with 3% target quota of people with disabilities in department and bodies under its aegis

Reports on compliance annually to Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Disability Authority

Established a working group to develop a code of practice for employment of people with disabilities in local authorities, which was distributed by DASPAC to disability stakeholder groups as part of a consultation exercise
3. Public Body Level
As described in the preceding section, public bodies which operate under the aegis of government departments also play a part in implementing and
6 Disability Act 2005, section 48(1).
7 Disability Act 2005, section 48(4)(b).
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monitoring progress of the National Disability Strategy. Any public bodies which are assigned tasks in Sectoral Plans or have a remit under legislation which forms part of the National Disability Strategy (the Disability Act, the
Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act and the Citizens
Information Act 2007) will at minimum, have assigned responsibility to an individual or unit to report back to the relevant department on measures taken to implement the goals set out in the sectoral plan / legislation. This information is included in the bi-annual progress reports prepared by government departments for meetings of the NDSSMG. In addition, some public bodies also have their own consultative fora or advisory groups on issues of concern to people with disabilities. Some of the key advisory groups which include people with disabilities are listed below.
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION
Consultative Forum
Under Section 22 of the Education for Persons with Special Education Needs
Act (2004), the NCSE is required to appoint a Consultative Forum to consult on matters relating to the performance of its functions. The Council can appoint up to and not more than seventeen persons to the Consultative
Forum and must ensure that at least seven of these people are women and at least seven members are men. The Minister for Education & Skills may appoint a maximum of three people to the Consultative Forum, at least one of whom should be a woman and one should be a man. In appointing people to the Consultative Forum both the Council and the Minister are obliged to take into account the desirability of appointing persons who themselves have special educational needs, their parents and representatives.
Members : Ms. Sally Maguire 
 (ASTI Representative), Ms. Bernie
Ruane 
 (TUI Representative), Mr. Feargal Brougham 
 (Irish National
Teachers' Organisation Representative), Mr. Edward Byrne 
 (NABMSE
Representative), Ms. Antoinette NicGearailt 
 (Association of Community and
Comprehensive Schools Representative), Mr. Sean Burke 
 (IVEA
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Representative), Mr. Rory O'Sullivan 
 (NAPD Representative), Mr. Pat
Goff 
 (IPPN Representative), Mr. Robert Jones 
 (Disability Federation of
Ireland Representative), Ms. Katherine O'Leary 
 (Inclusion Ireland
Representative), Ms. Patricia McLarty 
 (Heath Service Executive
Representative), Ms. Marie Therese Kilmartin 
 (JMB Representative), Mr.
Alan Sayles 
 (Ministerial Representative) 
 
 Ms. Paula Long 
 (Ministerial
Representative), 
 Mr. Terry Reynolds 
 (Ministerial Representative), Mr. Sean
Balfe 
 (CPSMA Representative), Professor Desmond Swan (Psychological
Society of Ireland Representative), Ms. Mary Van Lieshout 
 (National
Disability Authority Representative), Ms. Mary Dunne 
 (People with
Disabilities in Ireland Representative), Ms. Sarah Parlane 
 (National Parents
Council Primary Representative).
Functions :

Provide advice to the Council on matters relating to its functions (e.g. the definition of ‘inclusive education’)

Support the Council in conducting research and developing teaching tools relating to special educational needs

Facilitate broader consultation conducted by the Council and work with other advisory groups established by the Council as appropriate
FAS
National Advisory Committee for Disability
The National Advisory Committee (NACD) was established in June 2002, to assist and advise FAS on matters relating to the development and provision of effective vocational training and employment services for people with disabilities. The Committee reports to the Executive Board. It meets approximately four times a year, and members serve a two-year term of office.
Members : Members include organisations of and for people with disabilities,
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Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Department of Social
Protection, Department of Health and Children, ADM, IBEC, ICTU and FAS.
According to the most recent Annual Report available (2008), the current members are: Jacqui Browne – Chairperson (Disability Equality Specialist
Support Agency), Caroline Casey (Kanchi), Patrick Conway, Edward Crean,
Dermot Gallagher, Breda Kennedy, Donal Kerr, Eamonn McCormack, Martin
Naughton (Disability Federation of Ireland), James O’Grady (Policy Advisor,
Department of Health and Children), Noel O'Neill, John Redican (National
Service Users’ Executive) and Leo Sheedy (Assistant Principal, Labour Force
Development Division, Department of Education and Skills).
Functions :

Assists and advises the Executive Board on the provision and/or systems necessary for greater inclusion of people with disabilities on
FÁS programmes and services
 Provides FÁS with assistance in identifying gaps and existing disincentives in regards to FÁS programmes and services, and providing advice on how these may be overcome
 Assists FÁS in promoting meaningful policies, processes and procedures that encourage the employment, retention and advancement of people with disabilities in the open labour market
HEALTH SERVICES EXECUTIVE
HSE National, Regional and Local Disability Consultative Fora
The HSE is currently in the process of developing disability consultative fora at national, regional and local level. These disability consultative fora will reflect the new structure of the HSE, and have evolved from co-ordinating committees which were previously in place. At the time of writing the most developed of these proposals are for regional committees (one committee for each of the 4 HSE regions) and their terms of reference and suggested
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membership appear below. However, the HSE is continuing to develop proposals for consultation with people with disabilities and their families at local and national levels and the CDLP will update its website with this new information once it becomes available.
Regional Fora Suggested Membership :
The Area Forum would be chaired by the Regional Care Group
Lead/Disability Specialist as designated by the RDO.
Representation on this group would be divided to consist of:
3 HSE representatives from the LHO areas involved
3 Intellectual Disability/ Autism Voluntary representatives (Umbrella organisations would nominate people at this level) from the LHO areas involved
3 Physical & Sensory Voluntary representatives (Umbrella organisations would nominate people at this level) from the LHO areas involved.
3 Service user representatives (families/service users) (Umbrella organisations would nominate people at this level).
Regional Fora Functions :

To advise the Regional Management Team on maximising the effective delivery of services to meet the needs of people with disabilities, within resources.

To adopt and prepare plans to implement findings and recommendations for the VFM and Policy Review.
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
Co-ordination of disability services in the region to ensure consistency and equity.

Prepare reports on extent to which the needs of people with disabilities in a region are being addressed, based on information from the local committee and taking account of national policy documents and strategies.

To monitor the implementation of the regional business plan in respect of services for persons with disabilities.

Identify the requirement of regional or supra-LHO services and prepare plans to address this.

Sharing models of best practice.

To advise the National Committee on issues which need to be addressed at national level.

To participate in the evaluation of services in the region.
Expert Advisory Group on Mental Health
The focus of this group has been on identifying and proposing solutions to long standing system development and, secondly, to identify short term achievable goals that would serve as a focus to drive this development.
Members : Chair: Dr. Ian Daly, Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist,
St.Loman's/Tallaght Hospitals, Mr. Michael Bambrick, Director of Nursing,
West Cork Mental Health Service, Mr. John Boyce, Irish Advocacy Network,
Advocate, HSE West, Mr. Brendan Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer, Carlow/
Kilkenny Mental Health Service, Mr. Gerry Clarke, Asst. Director of Nursing,
Waterford Mental Health Service, Ms. Mary Davis, Psychologist, Galway, Mr.
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Geoff Day, Director, National Office for Suicide Prevention, Population Health,
Dr. Brendan Doody, Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, St. James's
Hospital / TCD, Mr. Richard Dooley, Network Manager, NHO, South Eastern
Hospitals Group, Ms. Theresa Flacke, Director of Counselling, Galway, Ms.
Dora Hennessy, Principal Officer Department of Health & Children, Dr. Eamon
Keenan, Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist, Drug Treatment Centre
Board, Dr. Terry Lynch, General Practitioner, Limerick, Dr. Sara McDevitt,
Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Brothers of Charity, Cork, Mr.
Paddy McGowan, Chair of Western Health and Social Services Council,
Northern Ireland , Ms. Tina McGrath, Occupational Therapist, Dublin Mid
Leinster, Mr. Seamus McNulty, Assistant National Director, PCCC, HSE West,
Mr. Martin Rogan, Assistant National Director (Mental Health), Dr. Vincent
Russell, Consultant General Adult Psychiatrist, Cavan/Monaghan Mental
Health Service, Ms. Victoria Somers, Mental Health Social Worker, Kildare
Functions :

Examines resource allocation (including recruitment and training issues).

Discusses priorities, practices and organisational challenges in implementing A Vision for Change

Assesses the structure of care delivery including communication between the various sectors such as, professional disciplines, statutory and voluntary sectors and patient/care groups

Identifies lead developments directed towards aligning Mental Health care with general health care delivery systems within the HSE
4. Local Authority Level
The task of tracking all committees within local authorities in Ireland which address issues of concern to people with disabilities (and in particular issues relating to the National Disability Strategy) is one which is beyond the scope of the this research. However, there are some national initiatives which co-
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ordinate efforts at local to implement the National Disability Strategy, and examples of these are listed below.
Local Government Management Services Board Disability Act 2005
Steering Committee
The Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB) was established by the Department of Environment in 1997. In summary, the
LGMSB’s purpose is to provide for local authorities such services as may be required by them for the purposes of staff negotiations, human resources and such other management services. In the context of the National Disability
Strategy, the LGMSB has developed a Disability Act 2005 Steering
Committee, which also contains subgroups on access, training and communications.
Members: Representatives from the Department of the Environment, Housing and Local Government, local authorities, the National Disability Authority, the
Local Government Computer Services Board and the LGMSB.
Functions:

Develop guidance for local authority implementation plans regarding accessibility requirements for public services in the Disability Act
(completed in June 2006)

Provide additional guidance with regard to accessibility of the external environment (in partnership with the NDA)

Support the LGSMB and local authorities to host conferences, seminars and training events on accessibility and the requirements of the Disability Act 2005
Local Authority Access Officers Network
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This network was established in 2009 and is supported by the LGMSB and funded by the Department of the Environment, Housing and Local
Government.
Members: All local authority Access Officers, Disability Liaison
Officers and Disability Co-Coordinators
Functions:

Provide a forum for local authorities to share and collaborate on projects

Highlight examples of good practice in local authorities

Explore learning experiences and new initiatives which positively impact on accessibility for all
Other local initiatives
Within local authorities there are can be a number of ways for people with disabilities to get involved in decision-making and find out what steps have been taken to implement the National Disability Strategy at local level. These include local authority Community and Voluntary Fora – made up of representatives from a number of organisations and sectors within the community, including people with disabilities. County / City Development
Boards also have a remit to promote co-ordination between all the service providers in their area, in regard to services for persons with disabilities. Local authorities also have a unit or individual who is responsible for reporting to the
Department of the Environment, Housing and Local Government, on steps taken to fulfil local authority commitments in the Department’s Sectoral Plan.
A good general reference point for individuals seeking information on what a particular local authority has done to implement the National Disability
Strategy is that au thority’s Social Inclusion Unit/Division.
Conclusion
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This document has provided a high level overview of the primary mechanisms which currently operate to implement and monitor Ireland’s National Disability
Strategy – at national level, within government departments and certain public bodies, and at local authority level. The information used to produce this list is the most current publicly available and as a result, the membership of some of the groups listed may have subsequently altered. However, the Centre for
Disability Law Policy intends to keep this document live on its website and update it as new information becomes available.
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