John Dennehy (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 208: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department is meeting the agreed national target figures for employment of persons with a disability; her views on whether that figure is adequate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13270/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Some 2.3% of the total staff numbers serving in my Department are recorded as having a disability. The figure is lower than the target of 3% due to a combination of circumstances. The Public Appointments Service, PAS, undertakes the recruitment of staff to posts in my Department following approval from the Department of Finance. As the Deputy is aware, my Department is currently undergoing major restructuring and has no posts to be filled at this time.

I understand that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is currently in discussions with the PAS concerning future competitions for persons with disabilities and that there are a number of issues to be taken into consideration. Irrespective of any quotas, my Department is, and always has been, willing to provide placements for persons with disabilities.

My Department is participating in the willing able mentoring, WAM, project this summer. The WAM project, which is administered by the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability, aims to provide graduates with disabilities with temporary placements with public and private sector employers.