Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 4

Written Answers. - Employment of Disabled Persons.

Ivan Yates

Question:

128 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Labour if the Government's target of 3 per cent employment of disabled persons in the public service is being honoured in each grade of employment; if he will give details of the breakdown of employment in the relevant sectors and the way these figures have changed over the past number of years; if the Government have any plans to improve the situation; if the Government intend to launch any promotional literature in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Labour (Mr. B. Ahern)

The 3 per cent quota for the employment of disabled persons in the public sector is an overall target and is not applied on a grade basis. In the year to 31 December 1988, the latest year for which complete statistics are available, 2,196 disabled persons were employed which reprepresented approximately 1.4 per cent of the total employed in the public sector. The figures for 1989 are being compiled. It is, however, unlikely that the situation would have changed to any great extent.

Recruitment of disabled persons to the Civil Service is currently taking place from an existing panel. A further competition will be advertised by the Civil Service Commission later this year.