In compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, the Department of Defence has undertaken, where practicable, to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities. The Department continues to operate in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in recruitment, promotion, training and work experience.
The only State body under the aegis of the Department of Defence is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Act 1927. The only staff post is the secretary to the Board, which is provided from the staff of the Department.
In addition to Civil Servants, this Department also employs Civilian Staff at various military installations to support the work of the Defence Forces. The grades employed are spread across a wide spectrum and include Craft Workers, General Service Operatives, Administrative staff, Healthcare Professionals and other specialist grades.
The following table outlines those who have self-declared a disability, however, it should be noted that there is no onus on employees to declare a disability. As disability returns are anonymous, my Department is unable to provide a breakdown between those working a full attendance pattern or those availing of reduced attendance pattern schemes such as Worksharing or Shorter Working Year.
|
Year
|
Category of
Employee
|
Total No. of Staff who self-declared a disability under the Disability Act 2005
|
Percentage with Disability
|
|
2023
|
Civil Servants
|
22
|
5.4%
|
|
2023
|
Civilian Employees
|
28
|
6.4%
|
|
2022
|
Civil Servants
|
17
|
4.3%
|
|
2022
|
Civilian Employees
|
28
|
6.6%
|
|
2021
|
Civil Servants
|
18
|
4.7%
|
|
2021
|
Civilian Employees
|
28
|
6.2%
|
|
2020
|
Civil Servants
|
16
|
4.3%
|
|
2020
|
Civilian Employees
|
28
|
6.1%
|
