Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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37. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what plans there are to vindicate the rights of disabled people to access the complaints mechanisms contained in the optional protocol of the UNCRPD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43569/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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On the 8th of October 2024 a decision was made by Government to accede to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, marking a milestone moment for Ireland, and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the continued realisation of the rights and obligations set out in the Convention.

Aa Accession to the Optional Protocol was a key commitment in the Programme for Government, and forms part of Ireland’s broader approach to compliance with the Convention, ultimately assisting in furthering the State’s progressive implementation of the Convention in an important way. In that regard intensive work is ongoing across government to develop Ireland’s next National Disability Strategy, which will form the implementation plan to advance delivery of the rights as set out in the Convention over the coming years.

Following the recent decision to accede to the Optional Protocol, the Department of Foreign Affairs will, in the coming weeks, deposit an instrument of ratification, signed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, with the Secretary General of the United Nations. The Optional Protocol will enter into force with respect to the State on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit, and before the end of 2024.

Accession to the Optional Protocol reflects the State’s ongoing drive to improving the lives of persons with disabilities, and is a further step on Ireland’s journey toward a more inclusive and fair society for everyone, and one in which everyone is valued equally. It is our intention to continue to build on the significant progress we have made to date in ensuring that the rights as set out in the Convention are valued, respected and upheld.

In general terms, recourse to the Optional Protocol is usually only available once a person has exhausted all domestic remedies. Further and specific information on the operation of the individual communications procedure is available on the website of the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner at: www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/crpd/individual-communications.