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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Recruitment.

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

842 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all Government agencies have fulfilled their obligations for the employment of people with physical disabilities; the percentage of employees with physical disabilities in each Government Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1595/03]

My Department provides a focal point for disability equality policy and legis lation development. As part of that remit, my Department collects data in relation to the 3% target for employment of people with disabilities in the public service (excluding Civil Service data which is collected by the Equality Unit in the Department of Finance). Although the target has yet to be achieved, there has been a degree of progress over the last number of years. No differentiation is made in the collection of the statistics between people with particular types of disability. The overall statistics for the public service (other than the Civil Service) at 1 January each year are as follows:

Year

%

1998

1.52

1999

1.72

2000

1.89

2001

1.99

The figures given for January 2000 and January 2001 are provisional figures as returns are outstanding from a number of individual public service bodies.
A Government commitment in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness requires that "every Department will take appropriate action to ensure that agencies under its aegis achieve the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities in the Public Service at an early date". Accordingly, it is the responsibility of each individual Government Department to consider the question of the action to be taken against agencies under their aegis that fail to reach the 3% target for employment of people with disabilities. A monitoring committee established and chaired by my Department helps to monitor and guide progress in relation to the target. It has supported a number of initiatives in recent years including: approval of a draft code of practice for use in the public service and exploration of the options for common selection procedures for people with disabilities; raising awareness of the 3% target among, and giving information to chief executives, personnel officers and disability equality officers in the public service through a series of eight regional seminars, and publication of an information brochure; publication of a brochure designed to encourage people with disabilities to consider a career in the public service and promotion of this option at the Public Sector Careers Expo in April, 2001; commissioned research on the issues and barriers relating to achievement of the target in six public service organisations. The report, published in November 2001 and titled research project on the effective recruitment of people with disabilities in the public service provides an insight into some of the issues which hinder progress and includes recommendations to assist future progress. My Department, in partnership with the Equality Authority, launched an employer resource pack on 3 December 2002 to assist public service employers in the recruitment and retention of people with disabilities.
The Minister for Finance is responsible for the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities within the Civil Service. The 3% target is based on the definition of disability set out in the Civil Service code of practice on the employment of people with disabilities. This definition includes people with physical, sensory or psychological impairments. In order to maintain confidentiality, the statistical returns made by Departments and offices do not specify the nature of the disability. It is not possible, therefore, to provide information on staff with physical disabilities. The attached table shows the percentage of employees with disabilities in each Government Department.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness included a commitment to a review of the employment of people with a disability in the Civil Service to ascertain ongoing adherence to the 3% employment target. While Government Departments met the target in the mid-1990s, since then the percentage has dropped below the target and as at December 2001 the percentage of people with a disability in the Civil Service was 2.78%. The Department of Finance has written to the all heads of Departments and offices to ensure that they are aware of their legal obligations and of the importance of reaching and maintaining the 3% target.
In light of the commitment in the PPF and to improve adherence to the target, the Department of Finance, in partnership with the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, commissioned a study on the career progression of people with a disability in the Civil Service. The research, which was carried out by a team led by Goodbody economic consultants, will be published shortly. The research examines career progression for people with disabilities, highlights the challenges they face in pursuing their careers and makes recommendations for improvements. The Department of Finance is considering the recommendations and will be drawing up proposals shortly. Officials from the Department of Finance are meeting with the Civil Service staff unions to consider the recommendations.
Number of people with a disability in the Civil Service at December 2001
(excl. Prisons Service)

Department/Office

No. Serving

No. Disabled Staff

% Disabled Staff

AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

4,660

123

2.64

ARTS, HERITAGE, GAELTACHT AND THE ISLANDS

884

31

3.51

ATTORNEY GENERAL

101

1

0.99

CENTRAL STATISTICS OFFICE

682

38

5.57

CHIEF STATE SOLICITOR

247

2

0.81

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

198

6

3.03

COMPTROLLER AND AUDITOR GENERAL

117

1

0.85

COURTS SERVICE

1,038

29

2.79

DEFENCE

467

21

4.50

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

60

1

1.67

EDUCATION AND SCIENCE

1,243

32

2.57

ENTERPRISE, TRADE AND EMPLOYMENT

1,072

40

3.73

ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

951

30

3.15

FINANCE

638

22

3.45

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

940

28

2.98

HEALTH AND CHILDREN

591

16

2.71

JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND LAW REFORM

2,565

67

2.61

LAND REGISTRY

622

23

3.70

LEGAL AID BOARD

305

7

2.29

MARINE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

474

18

3.80

Department/Office

No. Serving

No. Disabled Staff

% Disabled Staff

OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS

579

20

3.45

OIREACHTAS

319

4

1.25

OMBUDSMAN

73

2

2.74

ORDNANCE SURVEY

322

7

2.17

PRESIDENTS ESTABLISHMENT

20

0

0.00

PUBLIC ENTERPRISE

683

30

4.39

REVENUE COMMISSIONERS

6,904

142

2.06

SOCIAL, COMMUNITY AND FAMILY AFFAIRS

4,803

135

2.81

STATE LABORATORY

87

1

1.15

TAOISEACH

217

6

2.76

TOURISM, SPORT AND RECREATION

114

1

0.88

VALUATION OFFICE

125

7

5.60

TOTAL

32,101

891

2.78

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