Dr. Rosalyn Tamming:

Dr. Hartney mentioned Employers for Change earlier. They facilitate some peer-to-peer learning among employers. I think employers find that helpful because they feel they are in a safe space where they can ask questions of employers that have employed people with disability and can learn and get support that way. More of that would be good. The OECD did a piece of work with us two years ago now that was published in 2021. It was on the theme of engaging employers and how to get employers to employ people with disabilities and what some of the barriers are. That was interesting. They felt Ireland’s public employment service was a little bit behind the curve compared with other European countries in that proactive approach. That was one of the key findings. There is definitely some work to be done in that area.

Much of it is sometimes left to the Department of Social Protection because it has that employment focus through Intreo. However, other Departments need to play a more active role as well.