Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Employment of Disabled Persons.

Miss de Valera

I am pleased to raise this matter on the Adjournment. The Department of Equality and Law Reform was created to ensure gender equity, equity for those with disabilities and equity for travellers. I am aware that the Programme for Government refers specifically to the need for the Government to give a lead by ensuring that the 3 per cent quota for employing people with disabilities is reached in the public service. I understand the current public sector average for employing people with disabilities is 1.9 per cent, an improvement on the 1.28 per cent which obtained until recently. The 3 per cent quota principle for the disabled was introduced in 1977, yet by 1993 we have not reached the 2 per cent level. Very grave difficulties face disabled people who are genuinely trying to obtain employment. It is the Government's responsibility to break down prejudice by ensuring a change in attitude and enforcing the 3 per cent quota rule. Not only should this be done in the public sector but I would urge the Government to consider how this principle might be operated in the private sector also, perhaps through tax incentives to employers or some such method. In an ideal society such carrots should not have to be used but, sadly, time has proved that the employment opportunities for the disabled have not arisen spontaneously.

The Clare branch of Cerebal Palsy Ireland recently published its paper and findings on employment opportunities in the public service in County Clare for people with disabilities. I understand the Minister has received a copy of its report. The results of its survey are, to say the least, depressing. The Minister will note from this report that 21 organisations were contacted. Out of the 13 organisations which furnished the requested information, the research identified only eight people with disabilities working in those organisations. According to this survey, the average of those with disabilities working in the public service in County Clare is 20 times less than the present national average. This, I submit, is a matter which must be considered also in the context of the overall regional policy for the country, as there are great regional disparities regarding the implementation of the 3 per cent quota.

At present there would seem to be confusion in the quota system arising from the lack of clear criteria for qualification as a person with a disability. This matter needs to be addressed and clarified without further delay.

The Clare branch of the CPI, supported by its national organisation, wish to see action taken by this Government on its report to enable those with disabilities to obtain productive employment and ensure their full rights as citizens. I now ask the Minister to meet a deputation from the Clare branch of the CPI at the earliest possible date so that their suggestions can be adopted to provide immediate practical and financial benefit for the disabled.

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

On 1 March 1977, the Government of the day set down a quota of 3 per cent for the employment of people with disabilities in the public service. It was hoped this figure would be achieved within a five-year period. The 1977 decision applied to all categories of employment in the public service, including the Civil Service, local authorities, health boards and semi-State bodies. Exceptions were made in respect of the Defence Forces, the Garda Síochána and the prison service.

In 1981, following a Government decision of the previous year, a revised order of preference was introduced in relation to the submission of persons for subordinate posts in Government Departments. This order had the effect of giving priority to people with disabilities applying for such posts. Also in 1981, special competitions, administered by the Civil Service Commission confined to people with disabilities were introduced. As a result of these competitions, a large number of people with disabilities were recruited to the Civil Service. Between 1981 and 1983 a total of 236 civil servants were appointed as a result of these special recruitment programmes. However, despite this very significant progress, it soon became clear that the target of 3 per cent originally envisaged could not be met within a five-year period. The introduction of the embargo on general recruitment in the public service made the prospect of reaching the target even less likely.

In the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, negotiated between the social partners in 1991, the Government undertook to increase on a gradual and sustained basis, the number of people with disabilities employed in the public service. In order to oversee this commitment, a monitoring committee which comprised representatives of public service unions and management was set up. This committee is chaired by a senior official of the Department of the Taoiseach.

Since the conclusion of the negotiations on a Programme for a Partnership Government earlier this year, the Government has committed itself to eliminating inequality for all groups in society. This, of course, includes persons with a disability. The programme outlined our broad proposals to enhance the rights of persons with a mental handicap and to ensure the full expression of equality for persons with either physical or sensory disabilities.

As a Government, we have, therefore, undertaken to give a lead by honouring the terms of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress in this regard. We fully intend to see that the 3 per cent quota for employment in the public service for those with a disability will be observed. The overall percentage of persons with disabilities currently employed in the Civil Service is in excess of 2 per cent. Government Departments with a low representation of staff with disabilities, are being encouraged to increase that representation wherever possible, taking into account their overall staffing needs.

Serious consideration is also being given, in consultation with the social partners, to formulating legislation for an employment quota for people with disabilities, elsewhere in the economy. There is no reason for the private sector not playing its part in reducing the unacceptably high levels of unemployment among those with a disability.

The House can be assured that the Government takes its commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government very seriously, in so far as the employment of people with a disability is concerned. I am anxious to ensure that people with disabilities receive every possible support during the present difficult employment situation and I hope to have steps taken to improve job opportunities for them.

Deputy de Valera can be assured that we have no intention of letting this problem fall by the wayside. Improving the plight of people with disabilities is central to the work of my Department. Evidence of this is the recently announced decision to establish a commission on the status of people with disabilities. I have been heartened by the response so far to my request for submissions on the terms of reference of the proposed commission. I am currently examining all the submissions which have been received in my Department.

Work is, for us all, a basic human desire. For someone with a disability, work carries the very considerable additional advantage of casting off the role of dependant so often associated with disability in the past.

Employment of people with disabilities is, therefore, a high priority of this Government and I intend to try to ensure that despite the very difficult unemployment situation generally, the employment prospects of persons with disabilities will be safeguarded and, wherever possible, enhanced.

The Dáil adjourned at 12.30 a.m. until 10.30 a.m.