As I said in regard to my Department, the facilities are in place there. Regarding the Houses, when Brian Crowley became a Senator, the Office of the Ceann Comhairle was very helpful in making the changes necessary to help him. Former Deputy David Andrews also had to use a wheelchair for a considerable period and the necessary facilities were also made available to him. Ramps have also been put in place. The facilities are there and while it was not easy, they are certainly in use.
The percentage in my Department is just over 3% but the figure varies in other areas. The percentage in the Law Reform Commission is 5% while small bodies like the National Economic and Social Council and the Information Society Commission have not reached the target. The Central Statistics Office percentage is over 5%.
We should not just say we are on 3% – we should take opportunities to go higher. Thanks to the Equality Authority, the rules are now quite clear about taking people in on the grounds of ability. I have dealt with the groups which form the Fourth Pillar in social partnership, and in terms of employability, many people in those groups are highly efficient and very good administrators and organisers. People should comply with the percentages, although I know it is not always possible in that in some areas, disabled people are not applying for jobs. Where disabled people apply for jobs, people should take as favourable a view as possible to increase the percentages and not just to maintain them. That is the law now. Recruitment, promotion, training and all other benefits and opportunities are decided on the grounds of ability, qualifications and other relevant objective criteria, so there should be no discrimination.