§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what percentage of the total work force in his Department is registered as disabled; what428W steps he is taking to encourage the employment of disabled people within his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryThe Department employs 141.5 (1.4 per cent.) staff who are registered as disabled, counting part-timers as half units. These figures do not include staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register.
The Department is fully committed to the policies and good employment practices set out in the code of practice on the employment of people with disabilities in the civil service. Officials are making every effort to ensure that both policies and practices are implemented effectively and sensitively, in order to increase access for people with disabilities to the full range of recruitment and career development opportunities available, irrespective of whether they have chosen to register. The Department also participates in schemes designed to increase opportunities for the employment and retention of people with disabilities such as the sheltered placement scheme.