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Disability Act Employment Targets

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Ceisteanna (486, 487)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

486. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number or percentage of employees with intellectual disabilities in his Department, and in the agencies under his aegis; his plans to increase this number to promote and support the employment of persons with intellectual disabilities as outlined in the Disability Act 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17495/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

487. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department, and the agencies under his aegis, track the numbers of employees they have with an intellectual disability; his plans to do so in order to help set targets and increase workplace opportunities for those with intellectual disabilities such as those outlined in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17512/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.

Under the Disability Act 2005 and the National Disability Inclusion Strategy there is no obligation on Public Bodies to collate information on the type of disability that a staff member has chosen to disclose. Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) an Employee’s medical history, including a disability, is classified as “sensitive personal data”, this allows it additional protections under GDPR. In the interest of complying with the terms of GDPR, and protecting an individual’s anonymity, the numbers of staff members who disclose intellectual disabilities are not specifically tracked by the Department and there are no plans to do so.

The Department actively promotes opportunities and support for individuals with disclosed disabilities. This includes participation in the Willing Able Mentoring Programme (WAM), which is a work placement graduate programme for individuals with disabilities, and the appointment of a designated Disability Liaison Officer who provides advice and support to staff members who have disclosed a disability and to line managers of staff members who have disclosed a disability.

Under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, the Government has committed to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024. The National Disability Authority’s (NDA) most recently published report confirms that 3.9% of staff within this Department have a disclosed disability.

I have asked the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with a statement on the information requested.  If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within 10 working days please advise my private office.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
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