Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2020
310. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the percentage or number of staff working with a disability within his Department and the agencies under his aegis in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and the actions being undertaken by his Department to actively recruit and retain persons with disabilities. [42144/20]
View answerAs of 31 December 2018, the Department of Foreign Affairs reported 3.6% of its employees having disclosed a disability status within the definition as outlined in the Disability Act 2005. In 2019 the percentage rate rose to 4.6%. It is planned that the Department of Foreign Affairs will carry out a full Staff Census for the 2020 statutory returns and this figure will be available next year.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for our employees with disabilities. Policies are guided by the national Disability Act 2005, Employment Equality Acts and the Civil Service Code of Practice for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities.
The Department’s Human Resources Division maintains regular contact with the Public Appointments Service (PAS), including on issues relating to enhancing diversity and inclusion through recruitment. The Department welcomes candidates with disabilities during recruitment processes and provides accommodations based upon a Needs Identifying Questionnaire. Our Department’s Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) can also provide workplace accommodations and supports to all our employees with disabilities when required for the purpose of recruitment, probation, ongoing employment and training.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is fully committed to equality of opportunity in all its employment practices in line with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 and has been an active supporter of the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) programme. The Department has supported 12 placements since placements commenced in 2006 and our continued contribution to the programme was acknowledged under the WAM Leader Awards in 2019 and 2020 by the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD).
The Department holds regular events to raise awareness, promote and celebrate disability topics and to ensure that colleagues with a disability feel supported. Since 2017, the Department has a Sub Committee of the Management Board on Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. The Sub Committee is chaired by two members of the Management Board and is the governance structure for the consideration of equality and diversity issues. The Sub Committee has a specific Working Group on disability that develops actions and recommendations that feed into the implementation of our Human Resource strategy. Our most recent HR Strategy has a specific focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, ensuring the Department’s full commitment in advancing the needs of our current and future employees with disabilities.
