Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the criteria for persons with disabilities for seeking employment opportunities within her Department; the application procedures that apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34596/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Public Appointments Service (PAS) undertakes the recruitment of staff to posts in my Department following approval from the Department of Finance. The recruitment of all positions within the remit of the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 is subject to codes of practice published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments. I understand that, in conjunction with the recently published Commission for Public Service Appointments Code of Practice "External and Internal Appointment of Persons with Disabilities to Positions in the Civil Service and Certain Public Bodies", the Public Appointments Service is making arrangements to run an Executive Officer competition for persons with disabilities.

My Department is, and always has been, willing to provide placements for persons with disabilities. This year my Department participated in the Willing, Able Mentoring (WAM) project, which is administered by the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD), and is providing two six month placements to graduates with disabilities.