Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
223. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the supports or mechanisms to assist persons with disabilities to acquire a job in the civil or wider public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18892/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I am responsible for recruitment to the civil service. Other Ministers are responsible for recruitment to the wider public service.
The Public Appointments Services (PAS) is an independent statutory body which provides professional recruitment and selection services when requested to the civil service under licence from the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). As a public body established under the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004, PAS is also obliged, under section 34(1)(b) of that Act, to ensure that "standards of probity, merit, equity and fairness" apply to all of its recruitment and selection processes.
Competitions advertised by PAS are open to all applicants including people with disabilities who fulfil the eligibility requirements set out at that time. PAS carefully considers all requests for reasonable accommodation. In considering such requests, PAS is conscious of the rights of people with disabilities and of the obligations on PAS to observe those rights and to act in accordance with the provisions of the relevant equality legislation.
To assist PAS in considering request for reasonable accommodations in a fair and balanced way, candidates are asked to submit evidence in support of their request. PAS will consider letters or reports from relevant professionals which clearly indicate the severity and the type of accommodation(s) that may be relevant to the person. For example, candidates may be afforded extra time and/or alternative formats if assessment tests are part of the selection process
For further information on the supports and mechanisms PAS provide to assist persons with disabilities please click on the following link: https://www.publicjobs.ie/en/people-with-disabilities
One of the commitments in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for Employing People with Disabilities is a commitment to develop a pilot Civil Service internship scheme for people with disabilities that could lead to permanent positions. Work on this commitment continues at the Comprehensive Employment Strategy Implementation Group (CESIG).
