The Department of Rural and Community Development
was established on 19th July 2017 to provide a renewed and consolidated focus on rural and community development in Ireland.
My Department is strongly committed to the development and implementation of measures to promote and support the employment of individuals with disabilities, in line with legislation. The Department supports the best practice principles in this area, as set out in the 'Code of Practice for the employment of people with disability in the Civil Service'. All my Department's recruitment is through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who have recently launched their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023.
My Department’s Disability returns report indicated that we have significantly exceeded the 3% target of employment of persons with disabilities as set out in The Disability Act 2005.
The Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) in place whose role is to assist and support staff with disabilities, and their line managers, by the provision of necessary information, appropriate contacts, guidance, suggestions and advice. The DLO also plays an important role in promoting awareness about disability across the Department. In March this year the Department provided a Disability Awareness Information session for all staff and is planning to hold Disability Awareness Training later in the year. My Department recently organised Outdoor Recreation Disability Awareness Sessions to our stakeholders and the Department's staff.
There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Pobal (Pobal is not classed as an agency for the purposes of the Disability Acts), The Charities Regulatory Authority, Water Safety Ireland, and the Western Development Commission, they are all independent agencies who manage their own corporate matters, corporate compliance, and staffing issues.
