Written answers

Tuesday, 15 November 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Departmental Staff

9:00 pm

Photo of Pat CareyPat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 509: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the percentage of persons, with disabilities employed in his Department and in each body under his aegis; the guidelines issued by which this data is to be recorded in the public service; the nature of the disabilities; the levels of employment; the percentage of the total numbers of persons with disabilities in each sector who are holders of third level qualifications; the precise definition of disability which is used in the public service to meet the 3% quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34150/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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General policy in respect of the 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. Guidelines for monitoring the employment of people with disabilities by public bodies are set out in the 1994 code of practice for the Civil Service. The term, "people with disabilities" means, for the purposes of the code, people with a physical, sensory or psychological impairment which may "have a tangible impact on their functional capability to do a particular job; or have an impact on their ability to function in a particular physical environment; or lead to a discrimination in obtaining or keeping employment of a kind for which they would otherwise be suited".

Data are not collected with reference to the nature of disabilities, persons' grades or qualifications. A total of 4% of persons employed in my Department's head office and associated agencies are persons with disabilities. The Disability Act 2005 provides a new statutory framework for implementation and compliance monitoring of the 3% employment target in the public sector. Implementation of the various provisions of the Act in this regard is currently being addressed.

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