Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
490. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way that her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [24314/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department employs a full-time Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who provides support to staff and their managers through advice, information and necessary adaptions of individuals' working environments. The DLO accesses a dedicated budget for the support of those individuals who have a disability.
Department officials who disclose a disability to the DLO are supported in identifying suitable accommodation and adaptions that are necessary for the staff member to fulfil their role. These adaptions can include ergonomic assessments for desk and seating arrangements; sign-language interpreters required for meetings, webinars, well-being sessions and interviews; subtitling for videos available within the Department; adaption of office premises, restrooms, doors and parking.
The Department also provides software for individuals with visual impairments or dyslexia; adjustments to work patterns; adjustments to roles and responsibilities and the provision of specialised equipment such as cameras, magnifiers, large monitors, adjustable desks, custom chairs, headsets and telephone equipment.
Recruitment for the Department is undertaken by the Public Appointments Service (PAS). PAS are fully committed to ensuring that competitions held are accessible to all individuals who may require adaptions to the competitions process. Similarly for internal recruitment, adaptions and accommodations are provided for participants who request them during the competition process. These include Irish Sign Language Interpretation and the provision of additional time during the interview process.
In 2021, the Department’s commitment to an equal opportunity hiring practice and diversity in the workplace was placed on the Gov.ie webpage in keeping with best practice.
The Pensions Authority is an equal opportunities employer, with support available for recruitment interviews such as a sign interpretation, braille or other supports. The Employee Assistance service is also available along with other supports such as changes in employee working patterns and working hours, providing home-based working where appropriate. The Pensions Authority also provides equipment such as chairs, desks, laptop-risers and specialised IT equipment to employees who work from home. Other equipment such as foot-stools are provided both in the office and in remote-working locations, as appropriate.
Pension Authority employees undergo ergonomic assessments and this support remains available to employees throughout their employment. The Pensions Authority office is fully wheelchair-accessible having a ramp at the front door and a lift to all floors in the building.
The Citizens Information Bureaus typically work with an Occupational Health Service to establish accommodations that staff members may require for a variety of reasons. These accommodations include, the provision of assigned car parking, reductions or changes in working hours, supply of specialist ergonomic chairs, reallocation of tasks across a team, and temporary change of work location. The range of provisions available are included on a televised induction loop which has been installed in CIB's main office. CIB has an Employee Assistance Service in place that is accessible to all staff members.
