26-05-2025
Government to appoint seven external experts to new disability service unit
Seven external experts are set to be appointed to a new Government unit to improve disability services across the State.
The new disability unit, to be housed within the Department of the Taoiseach, is expected to be formally established in the weeks ahead.
'The Taoiseach wants a step change in the scale of support for people with disabilities and their families,' a senior Government source said.
The disability unit will bring relevant departments are together to troubleshoot issues and highlight key issues and work together to improve government's response so that real change will be made and programme for government commitments are delivered.
They added that, in bringing together key departments such as health, children, education, and social protection, it would ensure there is 'nowhere to hide and that these matters are dealt with in a meaningful way'.
It is understood that seven individuals, with expertise in multiple areas relating to disabilities, will be seconded to work with civil servants assigned to the disability unit. The unit itself will be modelled off the existing Child Poverty Unit in the Taoiseach's department, with a framework currently being drawn up.
On Tuesday, the Cabinet is expected to receive updates on the development of a new National Digital Strategy.
The new strategy will particularly focus on artificial intelligence (AI).
It is likely to include increasing the use of generative AI tools across Government departments, as part of a drive to increase productivity.
A Government source said the strategy will provide some short-term plans, as well as a 'longer-term strategic vision to position Ireland for continued growth and investment'.
Additionally, Tánaiste Simon Harris is set to seek approval to draft amendments to legislation to allow for the Government to ratify the EU-Canada trade deal, or Ceta.
The deal was previously blocked by the Supreme Court, with it ruling the deal was unconstitutional unless the Arbitration Act 2010 was amended.
The Government has put Ceta back on the table for ratification as part of its push for diversification, amid the threat of tariffs from the US.
Ceta has been in force provisionally for a number of years, with Ireland seeing an increased level of trade with Canada in recent years.
Trade with Canada in 2016 was valued at €3.2bn, but rose to over €10bn in 2023.
