Finian McGrath
Ceist:84 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of staff with disabilities working in her Department. [13749/03]
Priority Questions. - Departmental Staff.
In January 2003 152 or 3.1% of my Department's staff were recorded as being persons with disabilities. People with disabilities who are employed in my Department are appointed in some cases by way of competitions conducted by the Office of the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission, which are specifically for persons with disabilities, while others have been appointed on the basis of their placing in open competitions. Some employees may be recorded on the numbers of persons with disabilities subsequent to their appointment, for example, on the advice of the chief medical officer for the Civil Service.
Recruitment of persons with disabilities in the main Civil Service grades is the statutory responsibility of the office of the commissioners and all assignments, including the assignments of persons with disabilities, are made by the office of the commissioners. In recruiting at the service officer grade for which the Department is directly responsible, persons with disabilities are canvassed and employed wherever possible.
My Department is committed to ensuring that its human resource practices are fully in line with Civil Service policy on implementing equality of opportunity. Under that policy a range of measures has been put in place to ensure equal opportunity and to prohibit discrimination on any grounds, including disability. A disability liaison officer has been appointed to promote the interests of people with disabilities within the Department. This year has been designated as European Year of People with Disabilities and in that context the Department is currently reviewing its current policies in relation to staff with disabilities with a view to identifying areas for improvement in this regard.
I thank the Minister for her reply. Some 3.1% of the Department's staff are people with disabilities. I urge people to be strong on this issue because the target of many disability groups and parents is 4%. The figure for Dublin City Council is 4.3%. I encourage the Minister to examine examples of good practice.
Are the Minister and her Department genuinely serious about supporting families? The Government has a responsibility to treat children and adults with disabilities with respect, dignity and equality. Does the Minister accept that banning athletes from coming to Ireland for the Special Olympics was a disgraceful decision?
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
That is a separate question which has nothing to do with this question.
I am talking about people with disabilities and family affairs. The decision was against families and all the people in Ireland with disabilities. It was a disgraceful decision.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
That is a separate question. It is not in order.
Does the Minister agree that the decision has set back the equality agenda by eight to ten years?
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
That is not in order because Question No. 84 relates to employees of the Minister's Department.
We are dealing with disabilities and family affairs.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
The question deals with employees of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
It relates to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs who deals with families.
An Leas-Cheann Comhairle
I have ruled on the matter and the Chair's ruling must be accepted.
As regards the employment of people with disabilities, the best way to deal with this issue is to introduce in the next couple of weeks a progressive disability Bill which will ensure that all people with disabilities can avail of services as a matter of right. It should also include the rights of people with disabilities to work in various Departments and in the public service. Thousands of people have a large contribution to make. I urge the Minister to ensure that such people are treated with respect and dignity.
I appreciate that the Deputy, no more than any other Member of the House, is a great advocate for people with disabilities. We are looking specifically at the employment of people with disabilities in my Department. We have reached the target, but we have also taken a proactive approach in supporting people with disabilities, considering issues appertaining to people with disabilities within the Department and trying to facilitate them as much as possible. The proactive response has been the appointment of a disability liaison officer within the Department to examine those issues. Given that it is the European Year of People with Disabilities, I will be proactive in supporting people with disabilities and ensuring access to proper employment. That has been the ethos of my Department and we will continue to strengthen and enforce that.
I welcome the figure of 3.1%, which is a great start. However, it is not an issue for only one Minister. I ask the Minister to ensure that the Cabinet takes the issue seriously. Many people believe there are only one or two people in the Government who have an understanding of people with disabilities, their lack of rights, particularly to a job in the public service, and the lack of services.
There is collective responsibility of the Cabinet and the issue of the employment of people with disabilities is to the fore in its deliberations. It is important that such people can maintain their dignity and have access to money. This issue will be progressed forcefully, particularly in the context of Civil Service recruitment, for which I am responsible within my Department.
Question No. 85 answered with Question No. 83.