Vol. 423 No. 1
36 Mr. Deasy asked the Taoiseach if the Government intends introducing as a statutory requirement the employment of disabled persons by Government departments, State bodies, local authorities, health boards and private enterprise.
88 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the Government's policy on the employment of the disabled in the public service; if all sections of the public service are complying with the policy at present; if a similar policy exists for the private sector; and if not, if he will take an initiative through the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to put one in place.
90 Mr. Crowley asked the Taoiseach if he has any plans to increase the number of disabled people working in the public service; and if he will encourage private companies to do the same.
I propose to take Question Nos. 36, 88 and 90 together.
The Government undertook, in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, to increase on a gradual and sustained basis the number of people with disabilities employed in the public service. To oversee this commitment a Monitoring Committee comprising representatives of public service unions and management was established.
Arising from a meeting I had with the Forum of People with Disabilities in May of this year, I agreed to expand the terms of reference of the Monitoring Committee to provide for consideration of the employment of people with disabilities in the private sector and I agreed that the Forum would be represented on the Committee.
In July of this year, arising from a proposal by the Monitoring Committee, the Government decided that each member of Government should be responsible for the employment of people with disabilities in the area for which they have direct statutory control and/or functional responsibility.
