Written answers
Tuesday, 27 June 2006
Department of Finance
Equal Opportunities Employment
11:00 pm
Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Finance the targeted percentage of employment of people with a disability by his Department; if the 3 per cent target will be surpassed or is his Department restricted to this percentage; the percentage of people with a disability employed in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24818/06]
Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Finance, in common with all other civil service Departments and Offices, fully implements the Government's policy on the employment of people with a disability.
The Deputy may wish to note that, as part of a review of policy on the employment of people with a disability in the civil service, my Department commissioned independent research in relation to the operation of the 3% employment target. A survey carried out as part of this research which was published as "Employment and Career Progression of people with a disability in the Irish Civil Service," shows that 7% of Civil Service staff have a disability compared with the 2% to 3% generally reported in the annual surveys. The consultants therefore concluded that the arrangements in relation to reporting disabilities needed to be addressed.
In the light of the consultants' recommendations, the Government approved proposals to improve the operation of the existing policy. These included [a] the development, in conjunction with the staff unions, of a new code of practice for all Departments to support staff with a disability and ensuring that the civil service continues to provide employment opportunities which might not otherwise exist for people with a disability.
A number of significant initiatives have been taken recently. The Department of Finance has recruited a Disability Advisory Officer to develop guidelines in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer for the monitoring, reporting and recording arrangements for staff with a disability in the Civil Service. My Department is working with the National Disability Authority to explore potential new approaches to supporting staff with disabilities, including the possible use of a survey based on voluntary self-disclosure, both for new staff on appointment and for existing staff. A Disability Liaison Officers network involving all Departments has also been set up to share information and advice. It is also important that the Civil Service continues to offer employment opportunities to people with disabilities. In light of the research and the independent consultants' recommendations in relation to recruitment, discussions are taking place with the Public Appointments Service about putting in place a programme of targeted recruitment for the Civil Service. It is expected that the programme will begin in the autumn.
It is estimated that the percentage of staff in the Department of Finance with a disability currently stands at 2.85 % based on reporting arrangements which as outlined above are under review.
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