Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming and for their presentations. I commend all the good work that the different organisations are doing in ensuring that they are improving their services and by engaging with various organisations around disability.

I have a question for all of the witnesses. How many people with disabilities are employed within their organisations? Those people can then identify the barriers that exist and can assist others who are applying to or using the services of the organisations.

Accessibility is important. When we think of accessibility, we frequently think of the built space, but it is actually about digital accessibility, easy-read documents and so on. The NDA monitors compliance with web content accessibility guidelines. All of the organisations here were scored with a percentage. What are they doing to improve accessibility?

It was correctly identified that candidates with disabilities are under-represented at all stages of the process employed by PAS. What measures is the organisation taking to address that? As was said, 22% of people identified as having a disability in the most recent census. That is not reflected in the context of employment figures. In fact, we have one of the worst employment rates in the EU for persons with disabilities.

When we had SOLAS in before the committee previously, I was concentrating on apprenticeship. At the time, people with disabilities were very under-represented in that regard. Has the position improved? Is data kept, monitored and addressed? It was also stated that a budget of €43 million is provided to ETBs to fund specialist training provision and that 3,000 learners can avail of that intensive support. Is that budget being fully utilised? Do 3,000 people avail of the intensive support? Could or should the budget be increased? Is it sufficient? Are people informed enough about the position in this regard?

On the WRC, often cases are taken by disabled persons against a business or employer. A business or employer would be able to afford legal representation whereas a disabled person frequently may not be able to. We know there is a significant cost to disability. That includes for those who are working because sometimes that adds to the cost of disability. Correct me if I am wrong, but they are not able to avail of free legal aid. Is that a huge barrier to them bringing a case and seeing it through?