3436. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health to report on progress to meet her commitments under the National Human Rights Strategy for disabled people; the measures taken since the strategy was introduced; the key metrics identified to measure progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter [60740/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Minister for Health: Following on from the launch of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 and the publication of the First Programme Plan of Action, considerable progress has been made in delivering across the Strategy. In line with its overarching whole-of-government approach, delivery on the actions and commitments under the Strategy’s five pillars is being led by a range of Government Departments and public bodies in accordance with their respective remits.

The First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026 clearly sets out how the priority actions under each commitment will be delivered, identifying lead Departments and agencies, delivery timelines and the indicators against which progress will be measured. It is the first of three two-year Programme Plans of Action that will guide implementation of the Strategy and support the effective delivery of its commitments.

To ensure these commitments are achieved, robust delivery and monitoring structures have been co-designed with stakeholders. These arrangements provide for effective oversight and accountability throughout the lifetime of the Strategy and include a Disabled Persons' Organisation Group, a Disability Assembly and Pillar Groupings. These structures have now been established and continue to evolve, ensuring that the voices and experiences of disabled people remain central to implementation.

The publication of bi-annual progress reports is a key commitment under the Strategy. The first set of reports was reviewed by the Delivery and Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Taoiseach, on 16 July 2026 and has been published online.

In relation to priority action 14.2 under Pillar 4, Wellbeing and Health, commitment 14.2.1 has been completed through the incorporation of a disability variable into the National Drug Treatment Reporting System, together with the associated protocols and training arrangements. Progress also continues on commitment 14.2.2. Data provided by the Dublin Private Emergency Accommodation Assertive Case Management Team shows that 271 people with disabilities were assessed on entry to emergency homeless accommodation during 2025, with a further 165 people assessed during the first six months of 2026. Work is ongoing to establish regularised reporting arrangements.

Important progress has also been made in safeguarding under priority action 15.2. The National Policy Framework on Adult Safeguarding in the Health and Social Care Sector was published in December 2025 and applies across public, private and voluntary services. The framework is available in accessible formats and is supported by a dedicated Stakeholder Forum, including Disabled Persons' Organisations. Work is also progressing on the General Scheme of an Adult Safeguarding Bill.

Under priority action 16.1, Phase 3 of the Community Walking Track Initiative was launched in 2026. This phase provides support to clubs affiliated with the GAA, FAI and IRFU to enhance existing walking tracks and expand opportunities for community-based physical activity. A particular focus is being placed on accessibility and inclusion, with upgrades designed to ensure that facilities are suitable and welcoming for disabled people and older persons. Successful clubs are expected to be announced in the final quarter of 2026, with all funded works scheduled for completion by the end of 2027.

In relation to priority action 16.2, under commitment 16.2.1, the National Physical Activity Action Plan is hosting annual workshops to support National Disability Sport Inclusion Officers. These workshops provide a forum for engagement on supports available and on Sport Ireland's Disability Inclusion in Sport Statement of Commitment and Action. Healthy Ireland is also developing a cross-sectoral approach to promoting physical activity and will ensure that the barriers and needs experienced by disabled people are appropriately considered. Accessible and representative public awareness campaigns promoting healthy lifestyles and disability inclusion will continue throughout 2026.

Under commitment 16.2.2, the Phase 1 Implementation Plan for Pathways to Wellbeing was published in June 2026. Implementation is now commencing and the Department is establishing the governance arrangements necessary to support delivery and monitor progress.

Significant progress has also been made under commitment 16.2.3 through the approval of the Autism Assessment and Interventions Pathways Protocol as part of the national service improvement programme for the autistic community. Together with funding for 11 specialist in-reach teams, the protocol will strengthen pathways to services for children and young people with suspected autism. Preparations for implementation are continuing, including regional engagement events and development of a supporting competency framework.

Under commitment 16.2.4, work is underway on the development of governance and resourcing criteria for individualised support packages for children and young people with complex needs. A procurement process is being advanced to secure external expertise, while cross-sectoral engagement continues to agree responsibilities and next steps.

Under commitment 16.2.5, the National Placement Oversight and Review Team continues to support Health Regions in decision-making relating to external residential placements for people with complex mental health difficulties and intellectual disabilities. A report on its activities has been completed. However, due to the sensitive nature of the information involved, it will not be published.

Progress is continuing under commitment 16.2.6. Budget 2026 funding has supported the creation of 11 additional Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services intellectual disability posts and four Adult Mental Health Intellectual Disability posts. Recruitment is ongoing, with most posts now filled. Specialist training workshops were delivered during January and February 2026 and a national training programme continues to be implemented across child and adult services.

Under commitment 16.2.7, implementation of the Model of Care for Dual Diagnosis continues to advance. Recruitment has progressed across a range of services, including establishment of a third adult dual diagnosis team in the Mid-West region. Work is nearing completion on the enhancement of the specialist adolescent service in Dublin North City and County as an adolescent dual diagnosis hub. Additional posts have been approved nationally, and the Seeking Safety Ireland Strategic Plan was launched in April 2026.

Under priority action 17.1, significant progress has been made to support the development of a Single Point of Access model. The Child and Youth Mental Health Office has developed a Child and Youth Integrated Mental Health Pathway to support coordinated access to services.

The Single Point of Access will provide a single, coordinated referral pathway, ensuring children and families can access the right support at the right time across Children's Primary Care Services, Children's Disability Network Teams and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Under priority action 18.1, phase 1, the Early Mobilisation Phase, is currently underway and includes the introduction of a standardised electronic referral form. Planning for Phase 2, involving full mobilisation and implementation, is also progressing.

Under priority action 18.2, progress is continuing through a number of complementary workstreams aimed at increasing capacity, improving productivity and addressing waiting lists within primary care services. The first workstream is focused on productivity analysis and workforce planning, helping to develop a stronger evidence base to support service delivery and workforce requirements. The second workstream involves the phased rollout of the Primary Care Long Waiters Initiative across all Integrated Healthcare Areas during 2026. To support this work, the National Service Plan 2026 provides for an additional 200 primary care therapy posts, strengthening capacity across services. The third workstream is advancing research and analysis to inform the development of a national waiting list management protocol, which is currently being drafted.

The latest available data, from July 2026, shows that since the commencement of the Primary Care Long Waiters Initiative, almost 24,000 removals from waiting lists have been achieved. This includes approximately 14,200 removals through validation exercises and 9,600 individuals progressing into treatment and services.

Priority Action 18.3 focuses on building workforce capacity to support the delivery of disability, health and social care services. In 2026, the Minister for Further and Higher Education announced an investment of €28.5 million to support the delivery of more than 1,100 additional healthcare training places over the next three years. This investment includes 461 additional Health and Social Care Professional training places across nine priority disciplines by 2028. Building on this commitment, Government has approved Phase 1 of the 2026 Higher Education Capacity Building Process, which will provide approximately 274 additional Health and Social Care Professional training places when fully implemented. This includes 76 additional places commencing in the 2026/27 academic year.

These measures represent a substantial expansion of education and training capacity and are designed to strengthen the future workforce required to meet growing demand across disability, health and social care services. Work is also continuing to identify further opportunities for expansion and to develop new programmes that will support workforce needs across the disability, health and education sectors.

Under priority action 19.1, in response to ongoing challenges in accessing dental services nationally, I have directed the Department of Health and the HSE to develop a focused two-year action plan aimed at delivering immediate improvements in service provision while also laying the foundations for longer-term policy reform. The action plan has been prepared and is currently under consideration with publication anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2026. The plan will focus on a number of key priorities, including reducing waiting lists within child oral health programmes, expanding the access programme for people with additional needs and disabilities, improving the Dental Treatment Services Scheme, supporting recruitment, education and training within the dental workforce, and promoting innovation and new approaches to service delivery. These measures are intended to improve access to timely and appropriate dental care, particularly for those groups who can experience additional barriers to accessing services.

Under priority action 21.1, a report on the public consultation process has been completed and circulated to the relevant Working Group. The report identifies the key priorities and areas of focus emerging from feedback received from members of the public and audiology service providers. The findings from this engagement process are helping to inform the development of the National Hearing Care Plan and to ensure that the plan reflects the needs and experiences of those who use and deliver hearing care services. Building on this work, an early draft of the National Hearing Care Plan has been prepared and circulated to members of the Working Group for review and feedback. This engagement will help to refine the proposed actions and ensure that the final plan is informed by expert advice and stakeholder perspectives. The development of the National Hearing Care Plan represents an important step in strengthening hearing care services and improving outcomes for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who have hearing loss.