Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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179. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment how 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. [23046/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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My Department takes a number of actions to ensure that reasonable accommodations as prescribed under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 are made available for employees. My Department’s Disability Liaison Officer works to ensure that suitable arrangements for disabled colleagues are available to ensure access to employment, advancement, and training.

New employees to my Department are provided with a confidential means to indicate if they require a reasonable accommodation. My Department’s Disability Liaison Officer, working in conjunction with the employee, will arrange for these accommodations to be put in place prior to their start date.

If a member of staff has a change in personal circumstances the Disability Liaison Officer will engage with them to identify and implement potential reasonable accommodations as necessary.

The Disability Liaison Officer is also available to all staff to offer advice and support relating to reasonable accommodations for their current roles, that could assist with future advancement, and in accessing any relevant training.

The information requested in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each body. My Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.