David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 608: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 281 of 23 May 2006, if he is satisfied that his Department has met the 3% employment quota for people with disabilities; the percentage of people with disabilities employed in his Department; the number of people with disabilities hired from outside the civil service for each of the years from 2002 to date in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2591/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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 of 2005 in this regard. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that the compilation of compliance statistics in this area is a sensitive issue. It depends to a large extent on the voluntary self-disclosure of a disability by a member of staff. Many people with disabilities, however, are reluctant to disclose the extent of their disability. Still others do not regard themselves as having a disability.

Nevertheless, I am satisfied with the ongoing efforts of the Department to encourage and facilitate the recruitment of people with disabilities. The current estimate of the proportion of staff with a disability in this Department is 3%.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) is responsible for recruitment across the Civil Service, including the recruitment of people with disabilities. My Department works with other Government Departments, the PAS and the National Disability Authority in the implementation of the provisions of the Disability Act 2005, including those relating to the recruitment and employment of people with disabilities in the Civil Service. This Department also participates in the confined promotion competitions for people with disabilities who are already in the Civil Service, which are organised by the PAS from time to time.

There is, of course, scope for further progress in this area. My Department has continued to enhance its efforts to employ and accommodate people with special needs who can otherwise satisfy the conditions of employment. For example, the Department participated in the Willing Able and Mentoring (WAM) programme in 2006 and 2007. The purpose of this programme was to provide work experience opportunities for graduates with disabilities in the Civil Service. A placement was offered in each of these years.