Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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759. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development how her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under hers remit meet their obligations for reasonable accommodation under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015. [23054/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that, consistent with the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024, the Department of Rural and Community Development is strongly committed to equality of opportunity for all in terms of its employment practices.

In compliance with the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2005, my Department complies with its obligation to make reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. The provision of reasonable accommodation forms an integral part in supporting new staff who enter with a disability and existing staff who may acquire a disability.

Reasonable accommodation provision is managed primarily by the Human Resources Unit and the Department’s Disability Liaison Officer (DLO). New staff are made aware of the existence and role of the DLO at induction and staff are reminded of DLO services and availability at regular intervals.

Reasonable accommodations are provided on an individual case-by-case basis. Depending on the nature of the accommodation, further input and support may be required from a number of areas including the Civil Service Occupational Health Department, Health and Safety, Accommodation Unit, ICT support and the individual’s Line Manager. This ensures a holistic approach to the successful integration of employees with disabilities.

There are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Water Safety Ireland (WSI), Pobal, the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). The day to day operational matters of the agencies, including human resources issues and regulations, are a matter for their Boards and CEOs.