Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2018
548. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of working-age persons with a disability in employment here; the way in which this compares to the European average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53699/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe CSO is the responsible authority for collecting and disseminating information in relation to statistics on demography and labour market. The Department of Employment Affairs does not collect information in relation to employment rates for people with disability or other groups and relies on CSO sources for this information.
According to Census 2016, the number of people with disabilities of working age (defined as aged between 15 and 64 years) in employment was 121,968 giving an a working age employment rate for people with disabilities of 33.9 per cent. This compared with an employment rate of 62.4 per cent in the overall population of working age. As this estimate was based on a national measure and definition, the Department does not have access to comparable international data.
The Government is committed to increasing employment opportunities for people with a disability. The Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) for people with disabilities adopts a cross-government approach that brings together various measures, to be taken by different Departments and State agencies, in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on the employment of people with disabilities. The six strategic priorities within the CES are to: build skills, capacity and independence; provide bridges and supports into work; make work pay; promote job retention and re-entry into work; provide coordinated and seamless support; and engage employers.
In addition, my Department also provides a range of specific income, activation and employment supports for people with disabilities to assist them in obtaining and sustaining employment in the open labour market.
