Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
436. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number or percentage of employees in his Department and in the agencies under his aegis with intellectual disabilities; his plans to increase this number to promote and support the employment of persons with intellectual disabilities as outlined in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17479/19]
View answer437. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department and the agencies under his aegis track the numbers of employees they have with intellectual disabilities; his plans to do so in order to help set targets and increase workplace opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities such as those outlined in the national disability inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17496/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 436 and 437 together.
In accordance with Section 47(4) of the Disability Act 2005, my Department surveys all employees annually to establish the number of employees who have a disability. Disclosure by individuals of their disability status is voluntary and disclosure of the nature of the disability is also voluntary and is not required under the provisions of the Disability Act.
I would like to point out that my Department has exceeded the 3% minimum requirement for employment of people with disabilities under Section 47(4) of the Disability Act 2005 in each of the last 10 years.
My Department will continue to participate in projects such as the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme in order to provide employment opportunities to people with disabilities. In accordance with the recently-launched Diversity, Equality and Inclusion policy, my Department will explore other initiatives with a view to increasing workplace opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
