Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the recent National Disability Authority report which found that just 37% of disabled people were in employment in 2004 compared with 67% of other adults; and the 3% decline in employment rates for disabled people since 2002; if he proposes to develop a comprehensive strategy to make more employment opportunities for people with disabilities; the way in which he proposes to exceed the Government's 3% public sector employment quota for disabled people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30852/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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It is widely acknowledged, as in the recent National Disability Authority publication "A Strategy of Engagement" that the participation rates of disabled people in employment are significantly less than those of their non-disabled peers.

The National Disability Authority publication indicated, for example, that between 1997 and 2004 there was an absolute decrease of 62% in the number of long term unemployed welfare recipients, whereas in the case of recipients of welfare payments related to illness or disability the absolute number increased by 42%. For every long term unemployed welfare recipient in 1997 there were 1.1 persons in receipt of a sickness/disability related payment – by 2004 the latter figure had risen to four persons.

The Department is fully committed to addressing the needs of those with disabilities, and furthering the policy of mainstreaming services to help them play a full and active part in Irish society.

In July of this year the Department published its Sectoral Plan as one of six Government Departments required to publish Sectoral Plans under the Disability Act, 2005. The Plan outlines the Department's key initiatives in promoting equal opportunities for disabled people in the employment market, which includes the development of a Comprehensive Employment Strategy for disabled people. Key pillars underpinning this strategy will be enhancing the effectiveness of employment and vocational training programmes for disabled people, and further developing supports for the employment of disabled people. Inter-Departmental collaboration will be a key element of the implementation of the Strategy and this is reflected in Protocols attached to the Sectoral Plan.

The Plan represents a clear move forward in improving access to employment for disabled people, and provides a comprehensive outline of this Department's commitment in this regard.

The Department currently exceeds the 3% requirement under the Disability Act, 2005 for the employment of people with disabilities, with 4.27% of total staff employed having a disability. In addition, all of the agencies under the aegis of the Department are aware of their obligations under the Act and the majority have achieved the 3% target.

The Department is continuing to monitor and record compliance with the 3% quota by the agencies under its aegis, and information in this regard will be transmitted to the National Disability Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Disability Act, 2005. A co-ordinated strategy is in place among the agencies concerned, including the preparation of Codes of Practice on the employment of people with disabilities, and the maintenance of proper records regarding the employment of people with disabilities, subject to confidentiality and privacy requirements.

The Minister for Finance is responsible for policy in relation to the employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service. I understand that the Department of Finance is working with the National Disability Authority to develop a tool to effectively monitor the number of staff with disabilities employed in the Civil and Public Service. This is being done in consultation with the Disability Liaison Officers Network, which was established to share information between Departments, and which includes the Disability Liaison Officer in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.