Ireland needs ‘seismic shift’ to meet UN disability rights standards, says Human Rights and Equality Commission
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) today launched its first report as Ireland’s Independent Monitoring Mechanism (IMM) under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), delivering a stark assessment of the State’s performance ahead of a major UN review.
The report lays bare a pattern of systemic failures across education, housing, transport, and institutional care – painting a picture of rights violations driven by government inaction. While noting progress in areas like the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act and Ireland’s ratification of the CRPD Optional Protocol, the Commission stresses that only transformative, holistic and seismic change will bring the State into compliance with its international obligations.
The Commission calls for a full legal and policy overhaul, grounded in human rights and aligned with the UNCRPD – urging the upcoming National Disability Strategy to be a key part of this overhaul.
Chief Commissioner Liam Herrick said:
“We need a paradigm shift in how the State approaches disability – one that recognises disabled people as rights-holders. Without bold reform, the Government will continue to breach the rights of disabled people in plain sight.”
“The voices and experiences of disabled people – in all their diversity – must be at the centre of this change.”
Key concerns raised in the report include:
- Chronic lack of community-based supports, housing and services – amounting to a de facto policy of institutionalisation
- Repeated State failure to protect disabled people in congregated, institutional and other settings, despite decades of scandals.
- Widespread denial of inclusive education, including disturbing practices like the use of seclusion and restraint in schools
The Commission warns that disabled people in Ireland continue to be let down at every stage of life – and that only a rights-based, inclusive and properly resourced approach will bring meaningful change.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
This report provides information to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (‘the Committee’) in advance of the pre-sessional meeting to consider the list of issues to raise with the State in advance of, and during, the review of Ireland’s compliance with the UNCRPD.
This report is significantly informed by the input of Disabled Persons Organisations/Disabled Persons Representative Organisations (‘DPOs’/’DPROs’), disabled people, including through our Disability Advisory Committee (‘DAC’), and civil society organisations (‘CSOs’).
Ireland ratified the UNCRPD in 2018, submitted its initial report in 2021, and is expected to be reviewed by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2028. In September 2025, the Committee will identify a list of issues of priority for the State review.
The Committee has accepted IHREC’s report and will consider it in relation to this list of issues. Our report provides information about the State’s performance and draws the Committee’s attention to areas in respect of each Article which we believe warrant attention and proposes questions that the Committee can put to the State.