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Last Friday’s publication (4/01/2008) of a report on compliance with laws governing the employment of people with disabilities has been described as a significant milestone by Irish Minister of State Jimmy Devins.

Minister Devins was speaking after the National Disability Authority (NDA) published the first annual report on compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act, 2005 on employment of people with disabilities in the public service.
The Act provides for a framework for monitoring the employment target for people with disabilities, currently set at 3%, in public bodies through monitoring committees in each Government Department. The NDA has an overall monitoring and reporting role under the Act.

Minister Devins, who has responsibility for Disability and Mental Health, said: "The public service is committed to ensuring that a positive culture exists for people with disabilities which enables them to have fulfilling careers and gives them the opportunity to use their talents in serving the public.

"I am impressed by the wide ranging examples of good practice which demonstrate how public sector organisations have built up a significant track record in promoting employment of people with disabilities, aiding job retention and fostering a positive work environment where differences are respected".

The Minister said the report is not just about employment data. "It also highlights the many positive action measures implemented to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities in the public service.

"The recently published Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Civil Service focuses on a set of principles, actions and responsibilities to be applied to each stage of career development for employees with disabilities across the Irish Civil Service".
He said that a new approach to the recruitment of people with a disability into the Civil
Service is being adopted with the aim of ensuring compliance with the Act.
"An example of this is the recruitment competition in 2007 for Executive Officer in the Civil Service, which was confined to people with disabilities.

"Also, the Civil Service is a partner in the EQUAL funded Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) project which aims to give up to six months quality work experience to graduates with disabilities. Each Depart-ment/Office supported the project and during 2006 and 2007, 28 graduates with disabilities were successful in obtaining a paid placement within the Civil Service."

Minister Devins concluded: "Today marks another significant milestone in the ongoing implementation of the Government's National Disability Strategy and highlights the participation of people with disabilities in the workplace and in society."

Source: Sligo Weekender, 8 January 2008