Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach the policy of his Department in respect of the employment of persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39991/06]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the number of persons with disabilities employed in his Department; if he is satisfied with the progress made in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41243/06]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 8: To ask the Taoiseach the percentage of staff in his Department who have a disability; if all aspects of his Department have been made accessible to persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41358/06]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 9: To ask the Taoiseach his Department's policy on the employment of people with a disability. [42779/06]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 to 9, inclusive, together.

My Department and the bodies under its aegis are committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all staff. Staff are recruited on the basis that they meet the requirement of the positions they will fill. In addition to complying with the provisions of the Disability Act 2005, we follow the guidelines set out by the Commission for Public Service Appointments in its code of practice for the appointment of persons with disabilities to positions in the Civil Service. Recruitment to my Department is undertaken by the commission and through positive action programmes such as the Willing, Able and Mentoring programme under the aegis of the Department of Finance. The Minister for Finance has responsibility for policy in regard to the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The 3% target for the employment of persons with disabilities in the Civil Service and public service was set in 1977 and has never been reached. It is now enshrined in section 47 of the Disability Act 2005. Given that the target was never reached and that there are persons with a disability who have the capacity to work in the Civil Service or public service, is the Taoiseach satisfied that the level of monitoring, by the Department of Finance in particular, is sufficiently robust to ensure this legislative requirement is met? Substantial numbers of potential workers may be affected. Is the Taoiseach satisfied that the Government can stand over its implementation of legislation passed by this House?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Promotion, training and all other benefits, supports and opportunities for staff in the Civil Service and public service are decided on the grounds of ability, qualifications and other relevant objective criteria. The percentage of staff with a disability in my Department is 3%, equivalent to six and a half members of staff. This meets the target recommended in the Disability Act 2005.

My Department, through the Office of Public Works, maintains best accessibility practice. The Department is currently conducting an access audit with the OPW to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Disability Act 2005 and to further improve the Department's existing physical facilities and services. It is not the Department's view that efforts in this area should cease because the target of 3% is met. We have exceeded that target in the past but when people retire, transfer to another Department or leave, the percentage reduces. The Department of Finance monitors the situation in all Departments carefully and it is my understanding that most meet the target. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is responsible for monitoring the performance of external agencies.

We constantly seek to improve services. My Department and most other Departments provide access to information to staff and visitors with a disability in a variety of formats. In the past few years we have extended the services to include Braille, simple text documents and large print. Hearing loops for those with hearing aids are installed in the welcoming pavilion, the reception and the press centre. Relevant technologies are supplied to staff and visitors as necessary. Accessibility tools are part of the standard desktop used in the Department. Our websites are monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure we meet commitments under the web accessibility initiative. The websites currently comply with levels one and two as specified under that initiative. Everything possible is being done to make the Department accessible to visitors and staff, and these efforts are monitored and encouraged.

It would be better if the percentage of staff with disabilities were higher than 3%. Some Departments, however, have gone to extraordinary lengths to achieve higher figures. The sectoral plans we published last year, in accordance with the Disability Act, are designed to facilitate an increase in the numbers of people with disabilities employed in the Civil Service and public service. We should not be satisfied with an employment rate of 3%. The best approach is to provide the facilities necessary to enhance accessibility and that is being done.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Has the Taoiseach responded to a recent evaluation of accessibility in regard to e-Government websites? The Internet consultancy firm, Red Cardinal, found that one quarter of departmental websites failed to meet the minimum — priority one — standards required by the globally recognised website content accessibility guidelines. Although his Department's website is not mentioned specifically in the report, the Taoiseach must provide leadership in this regard. Does he know whether it meets the standard? Does he know whether the same is true of the websites of the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief State Solicitor or the Central Statistics Office? Other Departments will take a lead from the Taoiseach.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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Does the Deputy refer to accessibility in the use of modern technology?

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I refer to the international standards for website accessibility.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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To the best of my knowledge, the websites to which the Deputy referred are compliant with standards in this area. The Commission for Public Service Appointments must adhere to defined standards in devising panels for vacancies. In line with the requirements of the Disability Act, my Department has appointed an inquiry officer to deal with complaints where the Department fails to comply with the Act, and an access officer to ensure compliance. The standards to which we adhere are up-to-date and, as I understand it, in accordance with those of external regulatory bodies.

A monitoring committee comprising staff from all departmental divisions, bodies under the aegis of those Departments and union representatives was established last June. That committee is obliged to approve a report on compliance with the Act to the National Disability Authority by June each year and to report to the Cabinet committee on social exclusion. The National Disability Authority is currently investigating best practice methods to capture and record information on disability. I cannot say whether the standards we have imposed accord with the latest international guidelines but there is no doubt that they are being implemented.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The Disability Act 2005 report refers to priority two as the globally recognised standard. However, the Red Cardinal report to which I referred states that several Departments do not meet this standard. The Taoiseach might get back to me on this if he does not have the information to hand.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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The question refers specifically to the Taoiseach's Department.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Yes, and that is why I am asking about the Taoiseach's standards.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I take Deputy Sargent's point. As I understand it, my Department is compliant with the standards set out in the 2005 Act. The National Disability Authority is currently investigating best practice methods to capture and record information on disability. I assume it is doing so to determine the best mechanism for monitoring the 2005 Act to ensure there is compliance and to allow it to arbitrate on disputed instances. If the authority is examining this it is in a general sense and its findings will apply to my Department also. I will get back to the Deputy on this matter.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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I thank the Taoiseach.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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In light of the experience of the Taoiseach's Department and the points he enunciated, is there not merit in examining the idea of a cross-departmental team to ensure that best practice in one Department is applied in all others, thus ensuring the maximum employment and accommodation of people with disabilities?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The objective is to ensure coherence across all Departments and their agencies in regard to what is in the Disability Act, what the National Disability Authority has set down and the commitments in the sectoral plans so public bodies do all they can to ensure we have the best standards. The guidelines have been updated in regard to possible supports for collection. We must return this data to the Department of Finance annually. A sincere effort is being made to ensure everyone complies with the highest standards as per the commitments set down in the Disability Act.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are 20 minutes remaining and there is a large number of questions on Northern Ireland. If the House wishes to proceed with the questions, we will do so for 20 minutes.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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The questions on the visit to President Bush in the United States should not be part of the grouping. I do not necessarily see the connection, especially if we are to take the questions in 20 minutes but let us proceed.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is not too much on that.