Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 413: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food 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. [8902/06]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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A total of 122 people or 2.6% of staff working in my Department are known to have a disability. The majority of personnel employed by my Department are recruited from competitions run by the Public Appointments Service, PAS. My Department is committed to the employment of people with disabilities. My Department conducts interviews for the employment of full-time and temporary staff in a small number of grades from time to time. People with disabilities who satisfy the eligibility criteria, which are based on the skills necessary to do the job, are eligible to compete in these competitions.