Progress being made in employing people with disabilities – Conway

Fine Gael Clare Senator and Seanad Spokesperson on Disability, Martin Conway, has welcomed the news that a key objective of the recently published National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan concerns the drafting of a comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities.

“I am delighted that this proposed comprehensive employment strategy is included in the Plan. The employment strategy due to be published in 2014 will be drafted by the National Disability Authority (NDA) and Mr. Christy Lynch in collaboration with the Departments of Social Protection; Health; Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; and Education and Skills.

“This strategy builds on the progress already made in the employment of persons with disabilities. The most recent report of the NDA, published in 2012, showed that for the first time, the proportion of staff with disabilities across the public service as a whole reached 3.1%.

“In Clare, the figure for employment of people with disabilities in public bodies stands at close to 5%, and is among the top ten counties in Ireland, with 41 of the 839 staff at Clare County Council registered as having a disability in 2011. Furthermore, the 4 Town Councils in Ennis, Shannon, Kilrush and Kilkee, registered as employing people with disabilities.

“I am confident that this strategy will identify ways to further enhance the opportunities for persons with disabilities. This reflects the Government’s on-going commitment to increasing employment for people with disabilities.”