Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Finance the opportunities for employment that are available for persons with disabilities within the public sector. [45066/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The position in relation to opportunities for employment to the Public Service generally is limited by the recruitment and promotion moratorium which was announced on the 27th March this year. The moratorium applies, with limited exceptions, to the civil service, local authorities, non-commercial state bodies, the Garda Síochána, the Permanent Defence Forces and to certain bodies established by enactment and wholly or partly funded out of the Central Fund. The arrangements have been modulated in relation to the education and health sectors to reflect the particular needs in those sectors.

In addition, a number of Departments and Offices in the Civil Service are participants in a Work Experience Graduate Programme for Persons with Disabilities which gives practical effect to Government and Civil Service policy on improving the employment prospects for persons with disabilities. The programme is not subject to the moratorium. The Deputy may wish to note that there is a 3 per cent target for the employment of people with disabilities in the Public Service which remains in place, notwithstanding the moratorium. The Civil and Public Service is an equal opportunities employer and all recruitment campaigns must be conducted in strict compliance with the Codes of Practice set out by the Commission for Public Service Appointments.

The Public Appointments Service (PAS) facilitates all applications with special needs from the outset of every recruitment campaign. Where potential applicants have difficulty accessing the application and/or information, staff are available to help them apply - all application material is made available in various formats e.g. JAWS, Large Print, Braille, Audio. Provision is made for candidates at all stages throughout a recruitment process. PAS staff liaise constantly with applicants that require special accommodation facilities throughout each recruitment campaign to ensure their needs are met. PAS also liaise with Disability Liaison Officers in Government Departments to ensure that the needs of successful candidates are facilitated prior to appointment. PAS also have a follow up system in place where they keep in touch with employing Departments/Offices with regard to newly recruited staff with special needs.