Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Finance the percentage of people with disabilities currently employed in the public sector. [31970/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Minister for Finance, I am responsible for the policy in relation to the employment of people with disabilities in the civil service. In relation to the other areas of the public sector, each Minister is responsible for compliance with and reporting on the target set in the Disability Act 2005 for the employment of persons with disabilities in the public bodies under his or her aegis.

In the Civil Service, my Department reviewed the operation of the policy in some detail and commissioned independent research from Goodbody Economic Consultants. As part of the research, a detailed study of a number of Departments was carried out which showed that 7% of existing civil service staff have disabilities. In order to review the monitoring, reporting and recording arrangements in relation to staff with a disability in Government Departments and Offices, my Department has employed a Disability Advisory Officer to review this area.

A Disability Liaison Officers network involving all Departments has been set up to share information and re-examine the current methods of recording the numbers of staff within their respective Departments. The monitoring, reporting and recording arrangements in relation to a person's disability gives rise to complex issues about confidentiality and the use of such information. My Department has met with the National Disability Authority to obtain guidance in relation to potential new approaches to monitoring, including the possible use of a survey based on voluntary self-disclosure both for new staff on appointment and for existing staff. Such methods of collecting data in relation to people with a disability will also be considered in consultation with the staff unions.