Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I do not have anything to add. I am absolutely satisfied that all of the points made by the Senator are covered in the reporting mechanisms which will be ongoing. This issue was debated at great length at an official level across all Departments and it was felt that it should be a statutory requirement, as outlined in the Bill, to ensure that people with disabilities were given adequate opportunities for employment in the public service.

Probably the most important amendment, which is being completely overlooked, is that there is no ceiling on the numbers of people that may be taken on by public bodies or Departments as part of their training and job experience programmes. This highly significant amendment will ensure that Departments, semi-State agencies and local authorities will be obliged to take on people for training and work experience who can then move on to work in the private sector. I am completely satisfied that the Bill provides adequately for their employment requirements.