Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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269. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [24312/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Civil Service is strongly committed to equality of opportunity for all in terms of its recruitment and employment practices. The provision of reasonable accommodations is a key element in supporting new staff with a disability and existing staff who acquire a disability. In my Department, the provision of reasonable accommodations required to support a staff member with a disability is managed primarily through my Department’s HR Unit and Disability Liaison Officers (DLO). Reasonable accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis and, depending on the nature of the accommodation and relevant medical advice, may require further input and support from a number of areas and individuals including Health and Safety, facilities management, ICT support, and the individual’s Line Manager.

Where practicable, reasonable accommodations are provided within four weeks of receipt of a request. The provision of a reasonable accommodation typically comprises a number of stages: submission of the request; evaluation of the request; implementation of the reasonable accommodation; ongoing monitoring of the reasonable accommodation. My Department will continue to provide reasonable accommodations to staff who have a disability so they can fully participate and advance in their employment.

The position with regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.

Public Appointments Service (PAS)

PAS meets its obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015, across a number of key areas including Recruitment and Promotion; Training; Organisational Culture, Compliance and Strategy; and Workplace adjustments and ongoing supports. In terms of the latter, PAS provides reasonable accommodations to promote accessibility and high performance across its workforce. Some interventions include:

- The use of assistive technology – assistive listening devices, screen reading software to read aloud, speech to text dictation software;

- Adaptions to the work environment – Wheelchair ramps, lifts, appropriate signage, corridors and office space free from obstacles, accessible website and network systems, colour coding of files, space for staff to rest, ergonomically suitable desks and chairs;

- Flexible working hours – Flexitime, variable start and finish times, paid sick leave, appropriate rest breaks, Workshare scheme, Shorter Working Year scheme, Career break scheme;

- Staff returning to work from sick leave or experiencing medical issues – Referrals to the Civil Service Chief Medical Officer (CMO), implementation of reasonable adjustments proposed by the CMO, accommodation of a phased return to work from long term sick leave; and

- The availability of the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) to all staff.

Office of Public Works (OPW)

The Office of Public Works meets this obligation through the services of its Disability Liaison Officer who offers support and assistance to staff and their managers in discussing, identifying, agreeing and arranging reasonable accommodations at work.

Office of the Ombudsman

The Office has a DLO whose role includes assisting and supporting staff with disabilities, in confidence, and their line managers by providing information, guidance and support, as well as assisting in the provision of reasonable accommodations should such a case arise.

Accommodations considered can include the offering of flexible working times, providing of training and other supports and/or assigning other tasks if appropriate. In one instance, a staff member was physically relocated in response to a particular disability having been disclosed. It is a matter for the individual staff member to report to the DLO on any disability they may have.

As part of induction training, new entrants are advised in relation to the role of the DLO and the measures available in the office to facilitate staff with disabilities. The building is wheelchair accessible with appropriate facilities should a staff member or visitor require such facilities. The Office also has a loop system to assist staff and/or visitors with hearing difficulties.

National Shared Services Office (NSSO)

The NSSO DLO works with the person to understand their needs and to determine if they can reasonably accommodate the need. Following this review, reasonable arrangements are put in place.

State Laboratory

The State Laboratory consults with the individual and the CMO’s office in relation to reasonable accommodations for employees.

Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL)

The ORNL’s staff handbook enshrines its policy that equal opportunity will be accorded to all employees and applicants for employment. Recruitment advertisements emphasise that the ORNL is an equal opportunities employer. The office premises is accessible. Flexibility is provided in working hours for all full time and part time roles. Training and development action plans are devised and tailored to meet the specific needs of the employee (and those of the ORNL). Employees are routinely asked what equipment they require for their health and safety, and to work effectively, and specific equipment has been provided in response.