Minister of State Emer Higgins
Department of Children, Disability and Equality,
Block 1, Miesian Plaza,
50 – 58 Lower Baggot Street,
Dublin 2, D02 XW14
Re: Follow up to meeting with IHREC on 16 July 2026
Dear Minister,
I would like to thank you and your colleagues for meeting with us on 16th July. We found the meeting to be very positive and constructive.
We noted a number of follow up areas, which I capture here. My colleagues will be in touch with your officials on these matters, as relevant.
- We welcome your awareness of our concern in relation to IHREC’s role as the CRPD Independent Monitoring Mechanism and our need for access to data and information on implementation of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People. By way of follow up, my colleague Rebecca Keatinge and her team will revert to your officials with some further suggestions in relation to a workable solution.
- Thank you for making us aware that the Department is progressing work in relation to personal assistance, including in respect of relevant definitions. We agreed that my colleague Rebecca Keatinge and her team will include this as an agenda item for the next IHREC and DCDE quarterly meeting. IHREC will feed into this important discussion as it progresses.
- We discussed research we have recently commissioned on the application of the provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 and the use of inherent jurisdiction. We will communicate further on the findings of this research once complete and feed into the upcoming review of the ADMCA as discussed.
- We agreed that we would write to Minister Byrne asking for reinstatement of conditions requiring EU structural funds under the Multiannual Financial Framework to comply with the CRPD and to support deinstitutionalisation. This correspondence has now issued, with you and Minister Foley in copy.
- We will seek to identify examples of good practice in other countries in relation to statutory rights to disability services and supports, in compliance with the CRPD, and share these with the Department.
- Thank you for making us aware of the planned NDA report on the personalised budget pilot. We will follow up directly with the NDA.
- Thank you to Michelle for sharing the video on adult safeguarding which we will review with interest.
We thank you again for your engagement and look forward to continuing to build on our constructive relationship as Independent Monitoring Mechanism with you and the Department.
Yours sincerely,
Liam Herrick
Chief Commissioner Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission