Seán Sherlock
Question:86. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the engagement he has had on the policy of progressing disability services; and if he has contacted other Ministers regarding the policy. [16171/21]
View answerThursday, 25 March 2021
Questions (86)
Written answers
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 Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024.
The Department of Foreign Affairs continually engages with disability services to provide training and awareness courses for staff covering areas as defined under the Disability Act 2005. The Department ensures that staff members with disabilities are accommodated in the workplace by utilising our trained disability liaison officer who actively works with services such as O’Herlihy Access Training Consultancy, AsIAm, NCBI, Chime, and Bridge Interpreting. The Department has also conducted an Access and Sensory Audit which was carried out in the Passport Service in 2020.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is a supporter of the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) programme and has supported 12 placements to graduates with disabilities since the programme commenced in 2006. The Department’s contribution was acknowledged by the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities (AHEAD) and a plaque awarded to DFA under the WAM Leader Awards in 2019 and 2020.
We will continue to progress measures this year to ensure that the Department is fully compliant with the Disability Act 2005 and the Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 as set out in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.