John Dennehy (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 573: To ask the Minister for Defence if his Department is meeting the agreed national target figures for employment of persons with a disability; his views on whether that figure is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13282-06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that there has been a 3% target for employing people with disabilities in the Civil Service since 1994.

The definition of a person with a disability for the purposes of the 3% target is the positive action definition set out in the Code Of Practice for the Civil Service, 1994. In that context, the term "people with disabilities" means 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."

My Department has consistently exceeded the target of 3%, and there are 14 persons with disabilities employed in it, representing 3.29% of its total Civil Service staff.

My Department expects to participate in the WAM, Willing Able Mentoring, project during the summer. The project aims to give between three and six months' quality work experience to graduates with disabilities. The project is part-funded under the EQUAL initiative and has partners from the public, private and voluntary and community sectors.