Departmental Staff

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (807)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

807. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science 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. [41595/21]

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Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Part V of the Disability Act 2005 requires that public bodies promote and support the employment of people with disabilities and ensure that 3% of staff employed by them are people with disabilities. The requirement applies to my department and the bodies under its aegis

The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, commits the Government 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.

In 2020, the reported percentage of employees with a disability under the definition of the Disability Act 2005 for my Department was 3.68%.

My department is mostly resourced through the Public Appointments Service (PAS). As the leading recruiter for the Civil and Public Service, PAS promotes and supports the recruitment of people with disabilities into the civil and public service. While the assistance of the Public Appointments Service is sought for the majority of recruitments in my Department, my Department is committed to supporting staff members with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodation where required.