David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the employment rate of people with disabilities; the progress being made in meeting the goal nine target of the National Action Plan Against Social Inclusion for employment of people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27512/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Based on an analysis of the figures contained in the National Census 2006 carried out by the National Disability Authority, the total number of people with disabilities in the 20 – 64 years age group who were in employment was 72, 889, representing an employment rate of 35.1%.

The Government is committed to increasing the overall employment participation of people with disabilities in the open labour market. The immediate objective under the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act, 2005, and the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016, is to have an additional 7,000 people with disabilities who do not have a difficulty in retaining a job in employment by 2010. The longer term target under the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 is to increase the employment rate of people with disabilities from 37% to 45% by 2016, as measured by the Quarterly National Household Survey.

In the period 2006-2008 a total of 5,210 people with disabilities have been placed in jobs from the various FÁS programmes.

The Sectoral Plan of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment includes as a key commitment the development of a comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities. The Department has led on the advancement of such a strategy in discussions with other relevant Government Departments, and with key stakeholder representatives who form the Consultative Forum on an Employment Strategy established under the Department's Sectoral Plan. The aim of this strategy is to address the diversity of circumstances, needs and abilities of people with disabilities, and to work towards achieving the highest possible levels of employment for them.

Discussions on the further development and finalisation of the comprehensive employment strategy are being actively pursued with the Consultative Forum and inter-departmental groups with a view to completing the strategy as soon as possible.