Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019
540. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number or percentage of employees in her Department and in the agencies under her aegis with intellectual disabilities; her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [17486/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra541. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her Department and the agencies under her aegis track the number of employees they have with an intellectual disability; her 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; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17503/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.
My Department is committed to meeting its obligations under the Disability Act, 2005. According to the return to the NDA of the position as of 31 December, 2018, the number of staff employed in my department and in the agencies under its aegis who have disclosed a disability are set out in the table. The returns do not categorise the nature of the disability disclosed.
|
Name |
Total Number of Employees31/12/2018 |
Number of employees with disabilities 31/12/2018 |
% of workforce with disabilities 31/12/2018 |
|
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection |
6725 |
351 |
5.22% |
|
Citizens Information Board |
94 |
9 |
9.57% |
|
Pensions Authority |
65 |
3 |
4.62% |
My Department supports its staff with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodations and training as required.
The Public Appointments Service carries out the main recruitment function for the Civil Service. My Department employs a designated Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) with a specific brief to provide support and guidance to managers and staff for the provision of reasonable accommodations. New staff are made aware of the existence and the role of the DLO at induction. My Department follows the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service in relation raising disability awareness, providing workplace supports, in the provision of training and career progression. My department also supports work experience programmes for people with disabilities by participating in National Job Shadow Day and in AHEAD’s Willing, Able, Mentoring (WAM) programme.
