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Disability Act Employment Targets

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021

Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Questions (241)

Holly Cairns

Question:

241. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Finance the absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by his Department in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020; if these persons are in full-time or part-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4526/21]

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Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy during 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 the Department satisfied the 3% target of employing staff with disabilities and the Department is aware of the increase in the targets to 6% to be achieved by 2024 and is committed to achieving this revised target.

The following table sets out the percentage of employees with a disability for the years 2015 to 2019. Disability statistics for 2020 are not currently available as a census is completed each year in March for the previous year in line with the National Disability Authority (NDA) Annual Census.

Year

Percentage

2015

4.9%

2016

3.00%

2017

4.1%

2018

4.1%

2019

5.14%

The census is voluntary and self-declaration and is completed for the National Disability Census. As the information of whether or not the roles held are full time or part time is not required for the Census this information is not gathered. In addition, the grade of the individuals is not available.

During 2016/17, a major refurbishment project was undertaken by Facilities Management and the OPW in Government Buildings on Merrion Street. As part of that project, for example, electronic doors were installed to assist the movement of staff across the campus. In addition in 2019 an external lift was installed to South Block to allow staff with mobility difficulties to access the building easier.

The Department of Finance adheres to its requirements as set out by the Disability Act of 2005. The Department does not possess information regarding employees who are registered disabled. Staff can volunteer to self-declare a disability.

The Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) appointed who works closely with the NDA to ensure that the Department is fully compliant with its obligations under the Act.

Bi-monthly Disability Liaison Officer Network meetings are held to share knowledge and assist other DLOs across the Civil Service, as well as engaging with staff in accessing training and learning events, where needed.

The Department’s website, (www.gov.ie/finance), internal intranet and the Build to Share programmes (ePQ, eSubmission, eCorrespondence etc), which are used by staff in the course of their work, all have software to aid the visually impaired. A ‘loop’ system’ is in place in the Department’s Whitaker Conference Room for the hearing impaired.

The Department has also held Power Hours (awareness presentations) in the areas of Autism; Dyslexia in the Workplace and has marked International Day of people with disabilities and it is proposed to continue to do so.

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