I am delighted to be here this morning to launch the latest national ‘GET AHEAD’ Conference in conjunction with the Dublin City University Careers Service. I would like to extend my thanks to Maeve Gallagher and Tina Lowe of ‘GET AHEAD’ for organising today’s event and for inviting me to speak. This is, of course, the fourth national “GET AHEAD” Conference within 18 months – a testimony to the hard work and commitment of all those involved with the organisation.
I would also like to acknowledge the role of Dublin City University and in particular the Careers Service here, which provides an invaluable service. You operate very much on the front line, supporting students, graduates and employers in opening windows of opportunity. I have no doubt that this is a challenging, yet equally very rewarding process.
Access to Employment
The theme of today’s conference is “Beyond Access” which covers a wide range of key issues for people with disabilities – namely access to employment, the physical environment and transport.
In addressing these issues, I believe it is important to start from the basis that, as a society, we must focus on the ability of each and every individual. We must ensure in particular that people with disabilities are given confidence that their abilities will be recognised and utilised to the fullest extent.
In terms of access to employment I recognise that creating a more equal labour market requires new and more innovative ways of thinking. It requires an awareness – but equally an appreciation – of the wide range of skills that people with disabilities can bring to our workplace.
Highlighting and stimulating awareness amongst employers of the valuable contribution that people with disabilities can make is crucial. There is no doubt that students and graduates with disabilities, represented for example through ‘GET AHEAD’, are playing a central role in promoting awareness amongst employers of the potential of disabled people.
This Government remains committed to providing high quality services to people with disabilities. Implementation of the National Disability Strategy, which I launched last September, is continuing and the Disability Bill is now progressing through the Seanad. Consultations have taken place on the outline sectoral plans. It is worth noting that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s sectoral plan states that the Department will, through FÁS, continue to prioritise training and employment supports for people with disabilities.
In particular, we must overcome attitudes that somehow people with disabilities are less productive than their non-disabled peers. For graduates who progress into the employment market, the Government provides, through FÁS, a range of employment supports to any prospective employer, or employee with a disability. I am sure that many of you are already familiar with some of these schemes, including:
· the Employment Support Scheme;
· the Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant Scheme;
· the Employee Retention Grant Scheme;
· the Disability Awareness Training Scheme;
· and the EQUAL Community Initiative Programme
I understand that FÁS also provides direct support to GET AHEAD and that they are currently involved in a pilot initiative to develop Work Internships and Mentoring Programmes for disabled people. This represents a fundamental part of training.
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness contained a 3% target for the employment of disabled people in the public service. I am happy to say that steady progress has been made in this regard, especially in the Local Authority Sector, where the target was met in 2001. As of December 2003, people with disabilities represented over 3.5% of all staff in local authorities.
Physical Access
It is clear that in order for people with disabilities to obtain employment, the physical environment needs to be disability friendly. In saying this, I am of course mindful that we are in this fabulous new building and in a disability friendly and accessible university.
The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been very proactive over the past number of years in terms of physical access and significant progress has been made. Through their sectoral plan the Department has committed to implementing a policy of equal opportunities for people with disabilities. The measures taken to date include, the modernisation and the provision of disability access to public buildings, improved information, and a review and updating of the National Building Regulations in light of access for people with disabilities.
Despite the many positive measures that have taken place to date, I acknowledge that more remains to be done. The Department’s sectoral plan will assist in putting in place a more coherent and disability friendly structure for people with disabilities.
Access to Transport
Turning to access to transport - this Government is committed to the comprehensive development of accessible public transport services in the shortest possible time. Indeed, the Government’s position is that public transport accessibility issues go beyond the needs of people with disabilities and includes those whose access to traditional public transport is constrained, such as parents traveling with young children.
A number of initiatives and developments have taken place in this regard in recent times. €10million has been made available in 2005 for public transport accessibility projects, mainly to improve access to bus and rail stations.
In recent years, Iarnród Éireann has made significant progress in upgrading railway stations to improve access for people with disabilities. Furthermore, all new rolling stock is specified to full accessibility standards. Bus Átha Cliath currently has some 486 low-floor buses operating in Dublin, and 50 routes now have fully accessible services. I am informed that amongst others, bus stops along the number 11 cross-city route, which links the city centre with the main universities have also been upgraded. I am particularly pleased that all front line staff in state owned bus and rail companies, including the LUAS, now undergo disability awareness training.
This is a simple, yet fundamental initiative in making people more conscious of the needs of people with disabilities today.
Conclusion
While a lot of progress has been made in improving the participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of day-to-day life, I am committed to building on this progress and the lessons that have been learned along the way. I believe that the National Disability Strategy and the resources being provided to support it, mark an important advance in this regard.
All of us, and especially organisations such as GET AHEAD, have a role to play in ensuring that we are successful in removing all barriers to full participation for people with disabilities in our society. This conference represents an important step in that direction.
I wish you a most productive and successful day.
Thank you.
ENDS.