Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2020
200. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice when she will publish the report on compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 for 2018 and 2019 respectively; the number of employees with a disability in each Department in 2018 and 2019 respectively; the criteria by which employees identify themselves as having a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28987/20]
View answerPart 5 of the Disability Act 2005 requires public bodies to take all reasonable measures to promote and support the employment of persons with disabilities, and unless there is good reason to the contrary for not doing so, that they reach any compliance targets prescribed. The minimum target under the Act is currently 3%, scheduled to rise to 6% by 2024. Disclosure of a disability by an employee is voluntary.
The National Disability Authority has a statutory monitoring role in relation to compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act, and submits an annual report setting out the performance of all public bodies in the immediately preceding year. This report is required to be submitted by 30th November each year. The 2019 report on performance in relation to the minimum employment target is currently being compiled. As this function will shortly be transferring to my colleague, Minister O'Gorman, the NDA report will be submitted to him for approval by 30th November 2020.
All Government Departments exceeded the minimum 3% target for 2018 - the seventh successive year that the target was exceeded by all. A breakdown of information related to individual Departments and public bodies will be available in the 2018 and 2019 reports shortly.
