Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

68 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action, if any, he is taking or will take to bring the percentage of people with a disability employed in his Department up to the 3% target level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2526/00]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

My Department has been actively recruiting staff with disabilities, and continues to do so. On 1 October 1999, the latest date for which official figures are available, people with disabilities represented 3.79% of the total number of staff employed in my Department's headquarters and associated offices including the Forensic Science Laboratory, the office of the Data Protection Commissioner, the Equality Authority, finance division in Killarney, etc.

Central monitoring of the figures for the core Civil Service is the responsibility of the Department of Finance. I understand that the most recent figures compiled by that Department record 2.5% for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform as a whole, which includes the Courts service, probation and welfare service and land registeries. This represents an increase of 0.3% in the 12 month period since 1 October 1998.

I will continue my efforts to achieve the target level of 3% in my Department as a whole. I understand my Department will avail of the Civil Service Commission panels of persons with disabilities, which will become available shortly, to meet the target.