Austin Deasy
Ceist:96 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the efforts he is making to increase the number of physically disabled persons employed in (a) the public sector and (b) the private sector.
Written Answers. - Employment of Disabled Persons.
I have responsibility for the implementation of a Government decision taken in 1977 which set a target of 3 per cent for the employment of disabled persons in the public service regardless of their category of disability.
Special competitions have been run to increase the numbers of disabled in the Civil Service. However, due to the low levels of recruitment into the public service in recent years, progress towards the 3 per cent quota has not been as rapid as we would have liked.
The employment of handicapped persons in the private sector is a matter for the Minister for Health and the National Rehabilitation Board which operates under the aegis of that Department.
I should mention however, that disabled persons can avail themselves of job opportunities notified to FÁS and of openings on manpower programmes where they are capable of undertaking the activities involved.