Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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250. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport 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. [23058/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Under the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015 employers are required to take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of current and prospective employees with disabilities. As an equal opportunities employer, my Department is conscious of its statutory obligations and is continually working to ensure that it meets all commitments in this regard. In order to meet its obligations my Department works with the Public Appointments Service to ensure that prospective recruits are provided with reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process.

Employees who have disclosed disabilities have been provided with assistive technology to allow them to carry out their roles. Ergonomic and risk assessments are available to all staff and specialised furniture has been made available to those who require it. Evacuation chair training has been completed to ensure the safety of those with mobility issues during an emergency and the Health and Safety officer reviews the accessibility of the Department’s offices on an ongoing basis.

Blended working and other flexible working arrangements are available to staff, and requests for accommodations in the nature of reduced on-site attendance are reviewed by my Department on a case-by-case basis. My Department facilitates special arrangements to accommodate disability requirements as necessary, including the changing of roles to enable staff to avail of accommodations required.

My Department has a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who assists employees with their disabilities and accessing reasonable accommodations. The Disability Liaison Officer is also part of a wider network of DLOs across the Civil/Public Service which meets regularly to exchange ideas on how the workplace for people with disabilities and/or those that require reasonable accommodations can be improved. My Department continues to work with the Office of the Chief Medical Officer and the Civil Service Employee Assistance Service, both of whom provide guidance on the provision of reasonable accommodation for employees.

I have asked the aegis bodies to respond directly to you on this matter and if you do not hear from them within 10 days you should contact my office.