Leading on Interdepartmental Working

Four submissions made recommendations that the DCEDIY lead on interdepartmental and other collaborative process, in order to advance disability policies and service delivery (DFI; NFVSP; CIB; and Pobal).

The CIB recommended that the DECEDIY take “a lead role in cross-Government policy development relating to each of the target groups under the aegis of the Department”. The NFVSP referenced the Programme for Government commitment to improve the services available to

2https://www.irishdeafsociety.ie/gp-access-scheme-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

people with disabilities by working together across Government in a better way. They recommended that the DCEDIY SoS should:

identify areas where cross-Departmental collaboration is required to ‘make real’ the rights of the UNCRPD in the lives of people with disabilities in Ireland, and should take a lead role in coordinating the required integrated planning.

The DFI discussed “failures of cross departmental working” in the implementation of disability policies. While recommending an assistive technology passport initiative, they recommended the DCEDIY lead on “a more coherent approach to working on disability issues”, involving collaboration “between multiple Departments”. The put forward that the DCEDIY should “showing leadership” in delivering on housing policies for people with disabilities, and the cross-governmental implementation of the NDIS and UNCRPD. Cross-departmental working to improve inclusion of people with disabilities in employment was recommended by the NFVSP.