§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many disabled people are currently employed in his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryCounting part-time staff as half units, the Department employs 141½ staff who are registered disabled persons. This does not include staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register.
The Department is fully committed to the policies and principles 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 the policies 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.