Disabled people in public service recruitment
O’Leary asked how recruitment was progressing toward the 3 per cent target for disabled people by 1981. MacSharry said separate figures were unavailable, an interdepartmental committee was examining the issue, and he would contact O’Leary if figures could be obtained.
asked the Minister for the Public Service the intake of disabled people into the public service in the year 1978 and the estimate for 1979.
Comment on this
Separate statistics are not kept of the number of disabled persons recruited to the public service. Accordingly, it is not possible to give the information asked for by the Deputy.
Comment on this
The question was put down on the basis of an undertaking given by me during the previous administration, and adopted by that Government, that there would be deliberate recruitment of disabled and handicapped persons into the public service to a figure of 3 per cent of total employment by 1981. The reason for putting down the question was to ask the Minister for the Public Service whether he was aware of how this target is being met so far in the public service. Is the Minister saying that we have no figures on how the 3 per cent target is being met at present?
Comment on this
We do not have a separate figure at present. The Deputy may be aware that the Minister for Labour has an interdepartmental committee examining this question.
Comment on this
Not when one takes into account Government Departments and local authority offices. The definition of "disabled person" is another question that has to be resolved. Does the Deputy consider a person who has had a kidney removed as a disabled person? All these questions must be examined and appropriate arrangements made regarding the outcome of such an examination.
Comment on this
On investigation the Minister will find that we have advanced beyond that definition of the disabled.
Comment on this
There is no need for friction between us. I am asking the Minister to see if the figures are available.
Comment on this
When the interdepartmental committee report on this matter, I hope we will achieve the target of 3 per cent.
Comment on this
The Minister will find that the interdepartmental committee are in possession of the current figure.
Comment on this
The Deputy knows that the interdepartmental committee are governed by another Department. If he puts down the question to the other Department he may get the information he requires.