Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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144. To ask the Minister for Finance the percentage of persons employed in his Department who have a disability expressed in whole-time equivalent terms and in head count terms; and the way in which the number of persons with disabilities employed compares with national targets. [14439/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies and includes:

- the promotion and support of the employment of people with disabilities

- compliance with any statutory Code of Practice

- meeting the target of 3% of employing people with disabilities and

- reporting annually on the achievement of these obligations.

The Department of Finance adheres to its requirements as set out by Disability Act of 2005. The Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) in place who works closely with the National Disability Authority (NDA) to ensure that the Department is fully compliant with its obligations under the Act. All new entrants complete a confidential disability survey which is forwarded to the DLO for actioning, where appropriate. These declarations are amalgamated with an annual survey and forwarded to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform as part of our annual returns who collate centrally Department/Office annual returns for forwarding to the National Disability Authority (NDA) for publication on their website.

Bi-monthly Disability Liaison Officer Network meetings are held to share knowledge and assist other DLOs across the Civil Service, as well as engaging with staff in accessing training and learning events, where needed. During 2016/17, a major refurbishment project was undertaken by the OPW here in Government Buildings on Merrion Street. As part of that project, for example, electronic doors were installed to assist the movement of staff across our campus.

In terms of communicating with persons with disabilities who need assistance with accessing information, the Department has an Access Officer for Information and contact details are available on the Department's website (www.finance.gov.ie).

During 2017, the Department satisfied the 3% target of employing staff with disabilities and the Department is aware of the increase in the targets to be achieved over the next number of years and is committed to achieving these revised targets.

The following table sets out the percentage of employees with a disability for the years 2014 to 2017. Disability statistics for 2018 will be collated in March 2019.