Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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750. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the policy regarding the employment of persons with disabilities in his Department and in each State and semi-State body under the aegis of his Department; if there is a responsibility to employ persons with disabilities to a quota of 3% of its workforce; if this quota has now been exceeded; if there has been an advertised competition in relation to this quota; if not, the reason therefor; the dates and details of such competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27141/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 provides for a statutory report on the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector.  My colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, must submit an annual report to the National Disability Authority (NDA) giving details of the number of people with a disability employed in the Civil Service.

I can inform the Deputy that the proportion of staff with a disability employed in my Department, and those agencies under the aegis of my Department, exceeds the Government's 3% target for the employment of people with disabilities across the public sector and currently stands at 5.4%. My Department's commitment to the employment of people with disabilities is further underlined by its active participation in the Willing and Able Mentoring, a work experience programme for graduates with disabilities, under which we are currently seeking to facilitate 5 participants in 2017.

Appointment to civil service positions is generally by way of open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service. Persons with disabilities are entitled to apply for all competitions subject to their meeting the eligibility requirements of the competition in question. My Department is fully committed to the employment of people with disabilities. Our policy is to ensure that people with disabilities are facilitated with access to employment opportunities and every necessary accommodation is made in this regard.