David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the actions she has taken on foot of receiving the research report on acquired disability and employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4922/10]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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This consultancy study entitled, Research Report on Acquired Disability and Employment, was commissioned by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment following discussions with its Consultative Forum on an employment strategy for people with disabilities, and completed in 2008.

Key findings in the study explore the incidence of disability acquired by people during their working life, leading to long- term absence from work, and the perceived barriers to retention in employment following such a disability.

A number of key recommendations in the report relate to achieving a reduction in the inflow of long term receipt of Invalidity Benefit, and reducing the stock of long term recipients of Invalidity Benefit. These are matters for consideration by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. A number of recommendations are also directed to employers with regard to increasing their responsibility and involvement in the retention and re-integration of employees. Other supporting recommendations are directed to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and State bodies including the Health and Safety Authority, the National Employment Rights Authority, FÁS, the National Disability Authority and the Equality Authority.

In so far as recommendations concern my Department, the matter of workplace health of all kinds is supported in a number of ways by the HSA. The HSA is working on extending its range of activities in this area and has planned this in its range of activities for 2010. It has an increasing focus on occupational health. In the general area of workplace health, including mental health, bullying and stress, the HSA has a Code of Practice on the Prevention of Workplace Bullying in place since 2006, and in its inspection programme monitors workplaces for policies on workplace bullying. The HSA plans to update its existing guidelines on workplace stress in 2010. The HSA also monitors workplaces in the financial sector for policies on stress.

In 2009 the HSA updated its Work Positive Audit Tool and in 2010 plans to do more work on it. It published an employer's guide to implementing inclusive health and safety practices for employees with disabilities in March, 2009.

Other actions on foot of the recommendations, that are of interest to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are subject to on-going consideration, and will inform future policy in the context of the further advancement of a comprehensive strategy for people with disabilities. In this regard, NERA has indicated its readiness to co-operate in any initiative at the Department's behest, subject to resources, and its appropriateness to the NERA remit.