Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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925. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [4520/21]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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In accordance with Section 47(4) of the Disability Act 2005, my Department surveys all employees annually to establish the number of employees who have a disability. It should be noted that disclosure by individuals of their disability status is voluntary, as is the disclosure of the nature of any disability disclosed.

As required under Section 5 of the Disability Act 2005, my Department makes an annual report to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform outlining the Department’s compliance with Section 47(4) of the Act.

I would like to point out that my Department has exceeded the 3% minimum requirement for employment of people with disabilities under Section 47(4) of the Act in each of the last 10 years.

The relevant data on staff within my Department for the years in question are shown in the table below:

* Disclosure by individuals of their disability status is voluntary, as is the disclosure of the nature of any disability disclosed.

My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer who fosters awareness of equality and disability issues among staff and provides support, advice and guidance to staff and managers in ensuring staff with a disability have equal opportunities throughout their career in my Department.

My Department is a long time supporter of providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and has participated for many years in the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme. This programme provides a six month paid and mentored work placement for graduates with a disability. In the last few years, my Department has increased the number of placements it has made available under the WAM programme. Many former participants of the programme have gone on to secure permanent employment in the Civil Service.

My Department has participated in the Job Shadow Initiative on a continuous basis since 2009. Job Shadow Day is a national project, bringing people with disabilities and local employers together for one day to promote equal employment opportunities

In accordance with my Department’s Diversity, Equality and Inclusion policy, my Department explores initiatives with a view to increasing workplace opportunities for persons with disabilities. One very successful initiative has been collaboration with the Oireachtas on the Oireachtas Work Learning programme (OWL), a learning, development and socialisation programme for young adults with an intellectual disability. The programme aims to provide a real and applied learning experience to the participants in a safe and secure work environment, to support them in developing the skills which will lead them to access paid employment in the open labour market.