Time to tackle Ireland’s disability employment gap
Time to tackle Ireland’s disability employment gap - The Labour Party
Labour’s Spokesperson on Disability Senator Laura Harmon has called for immediate Government action to tackle Ireland’s appalling record on disability employment, following confirmation at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters that Ireland has the worst disability employment gap in Europe.
Senator Harmon said:
“It is unacceptable that Ireland has the worst disability employment gap in the EU. People with disabilities are being denied the right to meaningful work, while vital services like occupational therapy, psychological supports and speech and language therapy are delayed or inaccessible. This is a failure of political will.
“This year marks seven years since Ireland ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.and having now signed up to the optional protocol, work remains to be done to deliver inclusive communities. Today at the Committee, the National Disability Authority confirmed what we already knew: we are the worst in Europe for the disability employment gap. In Ireland we are 20% below the EU average – Ireland is at 32.6% compared to 51.3% EU average of people with disabilities in employment.
“Labour has long called for a new Comprehensive Employment Strategy, with dedicated resources to deliver change. We must increase supports for assistive technology, reform key employment schemes, and provide tailored job coaching. Ireland can’t afford to keep sidelining people with disabilities.
“We also need stronger data. Without real-time information on employment rates, workplace barriers and service gaps, we can’t deliver change. The National Disability Authority must be empowered to not only monitor but enforce progress.
“In addition, the State must lead by example. The 6% public sector recruitment target should be met and extended to all publicly funded organisations, with a view to raising the ambition further over time.
“We are calling on Government to take immediate, decisive action to address these failures. Seven years on from ratifying the UN Convention, people with disabilities are still waiting. That delay is indefensible. It’s time for real, measurable change.”