Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 May 2018
117. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of new temporary clerical officer posts (details supplied) in the Civil Service that will be for persons with disabilities; and if persons included in the WAM programme will be considered as part of this. [18934/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the civil service is an equal opportunities employer and all recruitment campaigns, including the Temporary Clerical Officer campaign, are conducted in strict compliance with the Codes of Practice set out by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Codes include the Code of Practice governing the External and Internal Appointments of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Irish Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies, available at www.cpsa.ie.
Public service bodies are also subject to specific legal obligations in the Disability Act 2005, including the requirement for public bodies to:
- promote and support the employment of people with disabilities;
- comply with any statutory Code of Practice;
- meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities;
- report every year on achievement of these obligations.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities was agreed by the Government in 2015. It proposes to increase the public sector target of 3% employment of people with disabilities to 6% by 2024.
You may also wish to note that a number of Departments and Offices in the Civil Service are participants in the Willing Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme, which is a mentored work placement programme aimed at offering graduates with disabilities up to six months paid work experience. It is organised by the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD). The Civil Service has been participating in the programme since 2006.
WAM participants past and present can apply for positions advertised by the Public Appointments Service, including the Temporary Clerical Officer competition.
