Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

Senator Terry is being somewhat disingenuous in her accusation that I am not prepared to accept amendments. It is not normal to review matters and return the following day and agree to make some amendments. That was because on this occasion the Leader of the House asked me to be especially vigilant in trying to accord with the views of the Opposition.

The amendment simply proposes that I report on the possibility of increasing the public service employment quota for people with disabilities above 3%. I could say there is no possibility of that. The amendment does not seek that the quota should be more than 3%. That is the first reason I am rejecting the amendment. The second reason is that Ministers can make orders to this effect. The 3% figure is a quota but there is nothing to stop individual Ministers or Departments going above 3%. Section 47(3) states:

(a) The Minister for Finance may, with the consent of the Minister, by order specify compliance targets relating to the recruitment and employment of persons with disabilities in public bodies the members of whose staff are civil servants and the public bodies accountable to him or her.

(b) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, by order specify compliance targets relating to the recruitment and employment of persons with disabilities in the public bodies accountable to him or her.

Therefore, the legislation does provide for employment targets above 3%. The Minister may make orders to ensure that employment targets above 3% are adhered to. The reason the figure of 3% is included in the legislation is because it represents the minimum number that can be employed. Having worked in a Department with responsibility for labour matters in my last job, I was anxious to ensure the maximum number of people with disabilities would be employed in the public service. I tried to see if we could get a percentage higher than 3%. However, for practical reasons, my officials and I decided it was better to opt for this formula of a minimum 3% quota, plus ministerial orders to go above that level. In addition, in order to ensure an open door policy regarding people with disabilities, we added a further amendment to the effect that training and work experience places would be provided over and above the 3% quota.

I do not need to be convinced of the absolute necessity for the public service to lead the way in the context of employment opportunities for people with disabilities. I remind Senators that this does not refer to the private sector. All we can do is try to increase that sector's awareness. With all due respect to Senator Terry, this amendment will do no more than ensure a report to the Houses of the Oireachtas, which I can do without any legislation.