Vol. 450 No. 3
58 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to encourage local authorities to reach the 3 per cent quota for employment in the public service of those persons with a physical or other disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4758/95]
Local authorities are being actively encouraged to achieve the quota in relation to the employment of people with disabilities. A joint working group has been established by my Department with representatives of the County and City Managers Association to identify further initiatives towards this end, including the preparation of a code of practice in consultation with the National Rehabilitation Board. The number of people with disabilities employed by local authorities is increasing, with two county councils having reached the quota at end — 1993. While complete end — 1994 statistics are not yet available, returns to date indicate that the number of persons with disabilities employed will show an increase over the 1993 figure. The National Rehabilitation Board has recently indicated that there has been a significant increase in the number of local authorities approaching local NRB centres seeking disabled applicants for recruitment panels.
