Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

A census of staff serving in my Department as of 31 December 2007 was conducted in February of this year. Some 5% of the 79% who responded to the survey voluntarily disclosed a disability. My Department is an equal opportunities employer and staff are recruited solely on the basis of ability to fulfil specific roles. My Department exceeds the legislative requirement of employing a 3% level of people with disabilities in the public service and as I have stated, 5% of Department staff voluntarily disclosed disability.

Staff are recruited through the Public Appointments Service on the basis that they meet the requirements of the positions they are to fill. The issue of disability does not affect assignment to my Department and no exceptions are made in that regard. Recruitment, promotion, training and other benefits or opportunities are decided on objective criteria, including the qualifications and suitability of the applicant.

Our recruitment principles follow the Department of Finance code of practice for the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service and the Commission for Public Service Appointments code of practice for employment of persons with disabilities to positions in the Civil Service and certain public bodies.

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