asked the Minister for Agriculture the present position in regard to each of the matters referred to by him in the reply to a parliamentary question of 10 March 1981 as being undertaken at that time to mark the International Year of the Disabled, to assist persons with each of the following handicaps (a) impairment of limbs, (b) deafness, (c) speech impairment, (d) blindness and (e) mental handicap; if he will state in each instance where a matter was then being referred to a committee if the committee have reported thereon; and the action taken on their report.
Written Answers. - Assistance for Disabled.
442.
My Department are continuing to co-operate fully with the Departments of Labour and the Public Service and with the Civil Service Commission in their efforts to increase the employment opportunities in the public sector for handicapped persons suffering from the disabilities mentioned. As a result, my Department have found it possible to recruit a total of 13 handicapped persons to date. All State bodies under the aegis of my Department are being encouraged to participate in the Government's effort to improve the employment opportunities for handicapped persons.