Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 186: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of persons with disabilities employed in her Department; the percentage of the total staff that this represents; the human resources policy of her Department with regard to the recruitment of persons with disabilities; the qualification criteria for persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8893/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There are currently 15 people employed in my Department recorded as having a disability, which represents 2.3% of the total staff number serving. The figure is lower than 3% due to a number of circumstances recently.

The Public Appointments Service undertakes the recruitment of staff to posts in the Department following approval from the Department of Finance. Provided the qualifying criteria are satisfied for a particular competition, persons with disabilities are eligible to compete in all such competitions. Every effort is made to ensure that the particular needs of persons with disabilities are met throughout the selection process.

Furthermore, my Department is participating in the willing able monitoring project, WAM, during this summer. The WAM project, which is administered by the association of higher education access and disability, AHEAD, aims to provide graduates with disabilities temporary placements with public and private sector employers.