Paudge Connolly
Question:286 Mr. Connolly asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of disabled persons currently employed in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31545/06]
View answerTuesday, 10 October 2006
Questions (193)
Written answers
Currently 2.3% of the total staff numbers serving in my Department are recorded as having a disability. The figure is lower than the target of 3% due to a combination of circumstances.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) undertakes the recruitment of staff to posts in my Department following approval from the Department of Finance. I understand that, in conjunction with the recently published Commission for Public Service Appointments Code of Practice "External and Internal Appointment of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies", the Public Appointments Service is making arrangements to run an E.O. competition for persons with disabilities. Irrespective of any quotas, my Department is, and always has been, willing to provide placements for persons with disabilities.
The Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) project, which is administered by the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD), aims to provide graduates with disabilities temporary placements with public and private sector employers. My Department has provided two six month placements under this project. These placements are not counted in the 2.3% figure provided above.