Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the targeted percentage of employment of people with a disability by his Department; if the 3 per cent target 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. [24821/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Disability Act, 2005 my Department is required to ensure that not less than 3% of persons employed by it are persons with disabilities. Currently over 4% of staff in my Department are persons with disabilities.

My Department is fully committed to the employment of persons with disabilities, where possible, and is fully aware of the requirements of the Disability Act 2005 in this regard. However all assignments to my Department are currently made with a view to the decentralisation of the Department to Killarney in 2007 in line with central arrangements in this regard. This may have an effect on the numbers of persons with disabilities employed in the Department in the short term.