Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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83. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by his Department in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020; if these persons are in full-time or part-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4525/21]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The following table below sets out the number of employees who have declared a disability for the years 2015 to 2019 Disability statistics for 2020 are currently being compiled.

While all posts in my Department are full-time, the Civil Service provides a range of flexible working opportunitiesto staff. Schemes, such as the Shorter Working Year Scheme, and a wide variety of worksharing patterns, are available to support staff in the achievement of a good work life balance.

The numbers set out only reflect employees that have declared a disability, given that the declaration of a disability is voluntary.

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.

My Department adheres to its requirements as set out by Disability Act of 2005 and is committed to a policy of equality of opportunity for all staff.