Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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266. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the target for the employment of persons with a disability across the public service; if all public bodies are required to reach this target; the way he will ensure this is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46935/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets a 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector.

The National Disability Authority (NDA) reports annually on compliance with this target. In its latest published report for 2013, the NDA reported that the proportion of staff with disabilities in the public service exceeded the 3% target for the third successive year.  In the Civil Service, the area of the public service for which I have direct responsibility, 4.4% of staff employed were reported as having a disability.  In relation to other areas of the public service, each Minister is responsible reporting on the target set in the Disability Act 2005 for the employment of persons with disabilities in public bodies under his or her aegis. 

A full copy of the report can be obtained from the NDA site.

As far as policy developments in this area are concerned, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities includes key actions as follows:-

- commence a review of the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) Code of Standards to ensure that they fully support the employment of people with disabilities in the public service; and

- that the establishment of special public service competitions for people with disabilities to meet identified shortfalls in public service employment targets, including where appropriate the provision of alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities, with work in that regard to be taken forward by the Department of Public Expenditure in consultation with the Public Appointments Service (PAS);

In the context of the implementation of the Strategy, it has been agreed in principle to increase the public service employment targets on a phased basis from 3% to 6%.  This decision requires the making of formal statutory instruments by individual Ministers under Section 47 of the Disability Act 2015.

Finally, a number of Departments and Offices in the Civil Service are participants in the Willing Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme which is a graduate work experience programme aimed at persons with disabilities.  This programme was not subject to the moratorium.  Details of WAM can be found here: