Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
460. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment 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. [17482/19]
View answer461. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department and the agencies under his aegis track the numbers of employees they have with an intellectual disability; 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. [17499/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together.
In order to ensure that positive action in employing staff with a disability is part of general practice throughout the public service, there is a system to monitor compliance with these legal obligations, overseen by the National Disability Authority.
My Department is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity for all staff and supports the “Code of Practice for the Employment of People with Disabilities in the Civil Service”, published by the Department of Finance in 2007. The latest statutory report under the Disability Act 2005 by my Department for end of 2017, reported that 3.1% of staff in head-count terms, and 3.27% in whole-time equivalents, have disclosed a disability. My Department currently meets the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities as set by the 2005 Disability Act. There are no employees in my Department who have declared an intellectual disability.
The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
