Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I can come back because I will have an opportunity later but I realise that the delegation has specific questions. It was asked if we had quotas. There were quotas in certain public sector areas but we had a long-term freeze on recruitment to the public sector, so that had a disproportionate impact on persons with disabilities because it was one of the few areas in which there was an active recruitment programme. We can discuss that in more detail. There is a very delicate balance. I think the delegation is right to focus on institutions, points of access and the question of giving supports. In some jurisdictions in Europe, we have seen an approach that seems to be based entirely on sanctioning individuals when, in our experience, many persons with disabilities are very keen to work but want supports rather than simply sanctions.