Vol. 473 No. 2
38 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Finance the definition used in calculating whether his Department has complied with the 3 per cent quota of staff with disabilities; whether this will change in view of the definition given in the Employment Equality Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24847/96]
In the context of employment in the Civil Service, the term "people with disabilities" is defined as people with physical, sensory or psychological impairments which may have a tangible impact on their functional capability to do a particular job or have an impact on their ability to function in a particular physical environment or lead to discrimination in obtaining or keeping employment of a kind for which they would otherwise be suited.
The definition was agreed at the monitoring committee on the employment of people with disabilities in the public and private sectors. The committee was set up by the Government to monitor progress under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress and the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. It is made up of representatives from seven Government Departments as well as the Civil Service Commission, FÁS, the National Rehabilitation Board, the Forum of People with Disabilities, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
