Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Recruitment of People with Disabilities.

Michael Woods

Ceist:

144 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself with the arrangements for the recruitment of people with disabilities into the public service; the outcome of the recent examinations; if he has satisfied himself with the current levels of participation; the plans, if any, he has to improve the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6332/96]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

Arrangements for examinations and the recruitment of people with disabilities into the Civil Service are the responsibility of the Civil Service Commission, which is an independent statutory agency operating under the aegis of the Minister for Finance. In the case of the health boards and local authorities, it is a matter for the Local Appointments Commission, which is also an independent statutory agency and operates under the aegis of the Minister for the Environment. Each non-commercial semi-State company is responsible for its own recruitment procedures.

I have been informed by the Civil Service Commission that there are at present panels dedicated to people with disabilities in respect of the posts of clerical assistant (clerical), clerical assistant (data entry) and visually impaired telephonist. I understand that there were recent competitions for the posts of typist and executive officer, part of which were confined to people with disabilities, and that the results are awaited. In addition, a new competition for the post of visually impaired telephonist has recently been advertised. People with disabilities are not restricted to applying for special competitions but are free to apply for all competitions for which they have the necessary qualifications. If notified in advance, the Civil Service Commission will make appropriate arrangements to facilitate them in participating in competitions.

The 3 per cent quota for the employment of people with disabilities has been reached in the Civil Service and my Department has been in regular contact with the Departments of Health and the Environment with a view to maximising job opportunities for people with disabilities in the health boards and local authorities. An officer from my Department is a member of the monitoring committee for the employment of people with disabilities which operates under the terms of theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work.

I am awaiting the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities which I expect to receive in April. I am aware that the commission has included the area of work and training for people with disabilities in its deliberations. When the report has been received, I will give it very careful consideration with a view to identifying what further action is required by me or my colleagues in Government, to improve the employment situation for people with disabilities.