Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2021
144. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action being taken by his Department to encourage companies to employ persons with blindness or visual impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56411/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 (CES) is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. It contains six strategic priorities, including the provision of bridges and supports into work, making work pay, promoting job retention and re-entry to work, and engaging employers, all of which aim to support and encourage companies to employ people with disabilities, including those who are blind or visually impaired.
The CES is implemented through agreed action plans and it is monitored by an Implementation Group with an independent chairperson, Mr Fergus Finlay. Currently the group is monitoring the CES Phase Two Action Plan which covers the period 2019 – 2021.
Key areas of recent progress under the CES to progress equal employment for persons with disabilities, including those with blindness or visual impairment, involve the production of an online training programme to support employers in becoming “disability confident" and of a Guide to Promoting Inclusive Employment, the latter by the Public Appointment Service, and the funding and establishment of a disability information service for employers . This service, ‘Employers for Change: A Disability Information Service’, provides advice and information on employing staff with disabilities, with a view to enhancing the confidence and competence of individual employers to employ, manage and retain staff with disabilities.
An Action Plan for Phase Three of the CES covering the 2022-2024 period is currently being developed. Its focus will be on achieving implementation of the six strategic priorities and on encouraging companies to employ people with disabilities, including those with blindness or visual impairment.
