James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

55. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she has taken to ensure the public service is implementing a proactive approach to employing persons with disabilities in line with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18000/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Implementation of Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 is monitored on an ongoing basis by the National Disability Authority. The Authority reports each year on progress made towards the current statutory 3% target for employment in the public sector. The most recent report published in 2015 shows that at the end of 2014, 3.5% of staff employed in public sector bodies are people with disabilities. This is an increase from 3.4% in 2013 and is the fourth successive year of exceeding the 3% target.

These provisions are being strengthened in the context of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities. The Strategy was launched on 2 October 2015, and sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. It is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.

The Strategy's six strategic priorities are to:

- Build skills, capacity and independence;

- Provide bridges and supports into work;

- Make work pay;

- Promote job retention and re-entry to work;

- Provide coordinated and seamless support;

- Engage employers.

The Strategy contains commitments in relation to:

- An increase in the public service employment target of people with disabilities on a phased basis from 3% to 6%;

- Special public service competitions for people with disabilities and the opening up of alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities;

- The provision of an NDA-assisted employer helpline to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities.

The implementation of the Strategy will be subject to regular monitoring, and there will be a review and renewal every three years. The Strategy Implementation Group will publish its first Annual Report before end-2016.