As the Deputy may be aware, Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 provides for a statutory report on the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector. My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, must submit an annual report to the National Disability Authority (NDA) giving details of the number of people with a disability employed in the Civil Service.
I can inform the Deputy that the proportion of staff with a disability employed in my Department, and those agencies under the aegis of my Department, exceeds the Government's 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities across the public sector and currently stands at 5.4%. My Department's commitment to the employment of people with disabilities is further underlined by its active participation in the Willing and Able Mentoring, a work experience programme for graduates with disabilities, under which we are currently seeking to facilitate 5 participants in 2017.
Appointment to civil service positions is generally by way of open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service. Persons with disabilities are entitled to apply for all competitions subject to their meeting the eligibility requirements of the competition in question. My Department is fully committed to the employment of people with disabilities. Our policy is to ensure that people with disabilities are facilitated with access to employment opportunities and every necessary accommodation is made in this regard.
