Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (41)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

41. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications 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. [41592/21]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications

My Department uses the services of the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services for the Irish Public and Civil Service. 

The current percentage of employees who have declared a disability under the definition in the Disability Act 2005 (bearing in mind that the declaration of a disability is voluntary), is 3.6%.

Under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, the Government has committed to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024.  The Department is continually working to ensure that it meets all commitments in this regard.

I have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to provide the information requested for their organisations directly to the Deputy.