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Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (3)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

3. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; the disability quota of his Department at present; if there is an active campaign to increase the disability workforce from the current target of 3% to a minimum of 6% by 2024; if this quota has now been exceeded; if so, the details of same; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to the quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41591/21]

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Written answers

The disability quota of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is set out below in tabular form. This data on the number and percentage of persons employed, both in the Department and in public bodies under its aegis, was compiled via an all-staff census as at 31st December 2020. This data is based on self-declaration of disability, by staff who disclosed having a disability. 

Department

Total Number of employees

Number of employees with a disability

% of employees with a disability

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

923

43

4.66

Name of public body

Total Number of employees

Number of employees with a disability

% of employees with a disability

Competition & Consumer Protection Commission

120

8

6.67

Enterprise Ireland

672

21

3.13

The Health and Safety Authority

190

13

6.84

IDA Ireland

359

21

5.85

InterTrade Ireland

57

3

5.26

NSAI

164

7

4.27

PIAB

80

6

7.50

*Science Foundation Ireland

89

3

3.37

*Science Foundation Ireland, while not one of the Department agencies since the change of Government in 2020 was included in 2020 return and is shown in the table.

IAASA, one of our 8 agencies is not subject to the provisions of the Disability Acts as it is not a ‘public body’ as defined in the 2005 Act.

My Department's current policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities is based on implementing the goals of the national policy. The 3% target is set out in Section 47 of the Disability Act 2005. The commitment to increase this target to 6% by 2024 is set out in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future.

My Department as a public service employer has a legal obligation under the Disability Act 2005 to, insofar as practicable, take all reasonable measures to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities.

My Department has in place a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer who acts as a proactive contact for staff with disabilities, to assist and support them, and to assist in the implementation of best Human Resource practices in line with equality legislation. This role also includes the organisation of work placements in my Department for people with disabilities, specifically for the Willing and Mentoring (WAM) project. This project provides the opportunity for people with disabilities to gain experience in different workplaces through coaching and mentoring, as well as building the capacity of employers to integrate disability into the workplace. There are currently 4 graduates participating in work placements in my Department as part of the WAM Programme.

Also in place is a Disability Monitoring Committee, which serves to monitor the number of employees within my Department and Agencies who have declared a disability, ensure compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, and share best practice to support those with disabilities in our workplaces. Through this Committee we have recently established an annual online and confidential census to more accurately measure our progress against national targets.

Further to this, we established a Disability Consultative Committee in 2018. The purpose of the DCC is to provide a focus for disability inclusion in respect of the policy work, schemes and initiatives of the Department.  Membership of the Group includes nominated representatives of disability groups along with Departmental officials and representatives from the Department’s Offices and Agencies. The DCC also reviews my Department’s actions under the 'Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with a Disability 2015-24'.

My Department also places a focus on learning and development opportunities that support people with disabilities in the workplace. This includes a recently launched Disability Awareness Training Programme, which seeks to increase the understanding of inclusion and diversity in the workplace. This training focuses on accommodating people with disabilities into the workforce and providing an understanding of inclusion in the workforce. Participants who successfully complete the course and obtain a pass mark obtain a 2-year certificate in Disability Awareness.

The Department has not advertised a competition in relation to the quota. My Department draws the majority of its required resources from the Public Appointments Service (PAS). The Public Appointments Service has a central role to play in recruiting diverse talent to take up public service employment opportunities. The PAS launched an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy in 2021 PASEDIStrategyDocument.pdf (publicjobs.ie) and my Department welcomes and fully supports this initiative.  

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