Vol. 310 No. 4
asked the Minister for Labour the progress, if any, that has been made towards reaching the target of 3 per cent of public service posts reserved for handicapped persons; if the inter-departmental committee have made any report on this subject, especially with reference to the grade which may be held by these handicapped persons, and also with reference to the definition of handicap for this purpose.
23.
asked the Minister for Labour the reasons for the slow progress being made in the employment of handicapped people in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
24.
asked the Minister for Labour the progress to date of the deliberations of the inter-departmental committee for the employment of disabled persons in the public sector.
25.
asked the Minister for Labour if the targets for employment of the disabled in the public service up to 1981 are being met; if he has had any further consultations with the organisations representing the disabled, and, if so, with what result; and if he will give details of any further measures for the employment of the disabled.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 23, 24 and 25 together.
The inter-departmental committee for the employment of disabled persons in the public sector decided at one of their first meetings to compile a register of disabled persons who might be suitable for employment under the scheme. The National Rehabilitation Board, who are to prepare such a register, require to carry out a survey in a number of Departments and State-sponsored bodies so as to obtain a clear picture of the types of jobs into which eligible handicapped persons could be placed, along with job descriptions covering each post or grouping of posts at recruitment level. The part of the survey relating to the Department of Labour has been completed and discussions are taking place with staff interests in other Departments in order to settle some problems that have arisen. I am hopeful that these problems will be resolved quickly so that the survey and register can be completed and recruitment commenced as soon as possible.
The committee have received a submission from the Union of Voluntary Organisations of the Handicapped which they are considering with a view to a discussion with the union at an early date.
The question of any further measures for the employment of the disabled which would involve employment outside the public sector is a matter for the Minister for Health who is in continuous consultation with the NRB in the matter.
When I was Minister for Labour the Government set a target of 3 per cent employment for the disabled in the public service by 1981. Would the Minister agree the time has come to update that figure? It appears that the target set is not being achieved.
The previous Government took that decision in March 1977 but it was left to me to set up the inter-departmental committee which had their first meeting in January 1978. They have set up a number of sub-committees to examine specific aspects of the matter. As I said, because of their expertise in the area, the National Rehabilitation Board were considered the most appropriate body to undertake the task of investigating requirements and registering disabled persons for employment in the public sector.
What about updating the target?
The important consideration is that we should achieve what we set out to achieve in the interests of disabled persons. If it were possible to update the target at some future date I would have no reservations about recommending that. In the meantime, as the Deputy is aware, there are certain procedures which must be gone through.
I asked about the definition of "disabled" for this purpose. There is concern amongst disabled persons that the 3 per cent would be taken up by civil servants who become unable to do their ordinary work because of illness. I should like some reassurance from the Minister that they will not be considered as part of the 3 per cent.
That would be my wish.
