Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

44 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the steps, if any, he is taking to ensure the greater recruitment of staff with disabilities having regard to the fact that only 0.8 per cent of his Department's employees are in this category; when his Department will meet the Government's target of 3 per cent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24540/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

My Department was established in July, 1997 through the bringing together of functions and approximately 120 staff from four other Departments and offices. Only one person with a disability was included among these staff and that person continues to serve in my Department.

While the Government target of 3 per cent of staff with a disability relates to the Civil Service as a whole, I have asked my Department to be mindful of it and to try to achieve it in the Department as soon as possible. In this regard, when suitable vacancies arise, my Department will seek to fill them from staff recruited from Civil Service Commission panels which are confined to staff with a disability. The coincidence of the availability of such panels and suitable vacancies arising in my Department will determine how soon the 3 per cent target will be achieved.