Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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225. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which she will require multinationals in receipt of funding from State agencies, to employ at least 3% of persons with disabilities, akin to the requirement under the Disability Act 2005 in the public service. [4736/16]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government published a Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities in October 2015. Amongst the specific actions set out in the Strategy is the establishment of an Employer helpline. The National Disability Authority engaged with the employer umbrella groups to bring this service into being and the new national Employers Disability Information service (EDI) was launched on 2 February last. The ultimate aim is to promote increased employment of people with disabilities and the service is designed to provide employers with an expert peer source of advice and information on employing staff with disabilities.

A consortium of Chambers Ireland, IBEC and ISME co-manages this National Employer Support Service which is housed in ISME. The intention is to build and enhance employer capacity to recruit and retain staff with disabilities by having a pool of authoritative advice and information available. The service is a centrally-based national resource of peer advice and information for employers on employment of people with disabilities. The service comprises:

- A helpline on a dedicated phone line (01- 6762014) providing advice and information to employers on employment of people with disabilities.

- A central web-based information resource (CallEdi.ie) incorporating guidance and best practice.

- The use of the mainstream channels of the participating organisations to disseminate information on the service and on matters relating to employment of people with disabilities.

- The development of networks and fora for employers to share experiences and good practice.

The service provides information and advice on:

- Rights and responsibilities under employment and equality law, health and safety law, etc.

- Support schemes from the Department of Social Protection and other supports and tax breaks for employment of people with disabilities;

- Practical advice on providing reasonable accommodation;

- Inclusive recruitment and workplace practices;

- Managing and supporting staff;

- Managing acquired disability and return to work;

- Trouble-shooting;

- Direction to sources of information and advice on specific disability conditions such as hearing loss, vision impairment, autism, specific physical impairments, mental health conditions.

This initiative will work with and strengthen the disability capacity of mainstream employment support services provided to employer body members. It is based on the premise that harnessing the goodwill of employers and providing advice and supports as set out above is a better approach and will be more successful in a private sector context than imposing statutory quotas, and no proposals have been prepared to amend the Disability Act as suggested in the Deputy's Question.