Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1167. To ask the Minister for Health 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. [27139/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In regard to the matter raised by the Deputy, Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies to:

- promote and support the employment of people with disabilities;

- comply with any statutory Code of Practice;

- meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities;

- report every year on achievement of these obligations.

The National Disability Authority (NDA) reports on compliance with the 3% target. In its latest published report for the calendar year 2015, the NDA noted that in my Department, 3.3% of staff employed had disabilities.

My Department does not hold a recruitment licence and all of our new staff come from competitions run by the Public Appointments Service.

The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES) was launched by the Government on 2 October 2015.

The Government has already taken a number of key decisions as recommended in the Strategy:

- The public service employment target for people with disabilities will be increased on a phased basis as set out in the Strategy from 3% to 6%;

- special public service competitions for people with disabilities will be arranged and alternative recruitment channels for people with disabilities will be opened up.

Under Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, all public bodies are required to ensure that unless there is good reason to the contrary for not doing so, that not less than 3% of the persons employed by it are persons with disabilities. The Health Sector's Monitoring Committee is required under the Act, to draw up a report in writing in relation to compliance not later than 30 June in each year. The Monitoring Committee is currently completing this report with data supplied by the bodies under my Department's aegis and the report will be submitted to the National Disability Authority by the required deadline.

In relation to Non-Commercial State Agencies under the remit of my Department, this information is being sought and will be forwarded to the Deputy when collated.