asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs the number of disabled persons employed in his Department; the percentage this represents of the total workforce; and the plans, if any, he has to increase the number in 1981.
Written Answers. - Disabled Persons.
326.
The number of disabled persons employed in my Department at present is 160 which represents about 0.6 per cent of the total workforce.
I am unable to say at this stage how many additional disabled persons will be appointed to my Department in 1981. Two such appointments have already been made in the current year and further appointments will be made as candidates are assigned to my Department by the Civil Service Commission from competitions specially held by them for disabled people. I shall be giving priority wherever possible to disabled people when making appointments in my Department.
335.
asked the Minister for Transport the steps being taken in 1981 to facilitate disabled persons to enter the buildings in his Department and buildings of State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of his Department in the course of their business.
The Office of Public Works are responsible for the buildings used by my Department. The facilities available at the three State airports for persons using wheelchairs are satisfactory and include ramps and automatic doors. Interior lifts are also available except at Cork Airport where it is hoped to have one provided later this year. The public buildings belonging to both the B & I and Irish Shipping are accessible to wheelchair users, as also are the main CIE public buildings.
336.
asked the Minister for Transport the number of disabled persons employed in his Department; the number in each of the State-sponsored bodies under the aegis of his Department; the percentage in each case they represent of the total workforce; and the plans, if any, he has to increase their number in 1981.
There are 16 disabled people employed in the Department at present, that is 1.3 per cent of the workforce of 1,250. My Department will also be accepting a number of the disabled people who are being recruited by the Civil Service Commission. I have also decided that preference will be given to employing disabled people where practicable in subordinate employment.
I should mention that approximately 75 per cent of all posts in my Department are in operational areas with a liability for full-shift working. Many people with a wide range of various disabilities are precluded from employment in such areas for practical reasons. However, my Department are engaged in a programme of ensuring that the greatest possible number of disabled people will be employed.
As I indicated in my reply of 10 March to Deputies Bruton and Fitzpatrick, I have encouraged the State bodies under the aegis of my Department to make every effort to increase the employment of handicapped persons and I have been assured of their full co-operation. The matter of employment generally is, however, one of day-to-day administration for the State bodies in question.