Green Paper on Disability Reform - opportunities for consultation

The Government have recently published a Green Paper on Disability Reform. This Green Paper is not a formal reform document but rather a proposal on what long-term disability payments could look like. This is part of a government commitment to restructure long-term disability payments, as outlined in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025.

The Department of Social Welfare is undertaking a public consultation on its proposals, and is eager to hear the opinions of disability organisations and disabled people in relation to Ireland’s future approach to social protection for people with disabilities. It is vital that all stakeholders and impacted parties inform this important process. DFI encourages our Members to have your say through the public consultation process, DFI’s own Member Consultations, or both. You can also submit your own written submission to the Department by email to DCPolicyConsultation@welfare.ie by 15 December. 

Public Consultations

Under this proposal the Department of Social Protection is carrying out public consultations to enable all stakeholders, including people with disabilities, to submit their view on the reform. These facilitated workshop type consultations will take place as follows:

•  9 November 2023, Dublin Hibernia Conference Centre, Dublin Castle (hybrid event 10.30am to 3.30pm). Register here for Dublin.
•  14 November 2023, Cork Rochestown Park Hotel (10.30am to 1.00pm). Register here for Cork.
•  23 November 2023, Athlone Sheraton Hotel (10.30am to 1.00pm). Register here for Athlone.

DFI Member Consultations

In recent weeks DFI have attended the launch of the Green Paper and a stakeholders briefing event. In addition to attending the scheduled public consultation events, DFI will be making a written submission on the reforms. To inform this submission to the Green Paper we are hosting two DFI member only events where we will discuss the issues that arise from the Green Paper. These will take place on:

•  November 14 2023, 2.30pm to 4.30pm, via Teams
•  November 20 2023, 11am to 1pm, via Teams 

You can chose to register for either session, with the recommendations from both combined to contribute to DFI’s final Submission to the Department. 

Registration is by way of email to our Senior Policy Advocate, Fleachta Phelan. To reserve your place please send your name, the name of your organisation, and any relevant accessibility requirements by email to Fleachta as soon as possible. If you cannot attend either session, and would still like to feed into the DFI Submission, we encourage you to get in touch with Fleachta who will link with you directly.

ENDS