Observation (CEACR) - adoptée 2005, publiée 95ème session CIT (2006)

Convention (n° 159) sur la réadaptation professionnelle et l'emploi des personnes handicapées, 1983 - Irlande (Ratification: 1986)

1. The Committee notes with interest the report provided by the Government for the period ending in May 2005. Among other initiatives for mainstreaming services to people with disabilities, the Government mentions the Workway (www.workway.ie), a joint initiative of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation. Its objectives are to raise awareness of, and address the issue of, barriers to employment for people with disabilities in the private sector. It involves the establishment of a number of regional networks around the country to raise awareness, explore skills availability among people with disabilities, identify local employment opportunities and provide information on support which are available to people with disabilities and to employers.

2. In its 2000 general observation, the Committee encouraged member States to explore ways to share ideas and resources. In this respect, the Committee notes with satisfaction that as part of the ILO/Development Corporation Ireland (DCI) Partnership Programme 2001-04, the Government of Ireland has provided support to selected governments of Asia and Africa to enhance their capacity to implement effective legislation concerning the employment of people with disabilities. A knowledge base on existing laws and policies in the selected countries has been developed, technical consultations have been held with governments, employers, workers and disabled persons’ representatives and parliamentarians on the steps required to improve the practical effectiveness of the laws and policies; technical support in the form of legal advice or support to consultative workshops has been provided to governments in developing or revising disability-related legislation and/or policies; guidelines have been developed on employment-related legislation for persons with disabilities; and a compendium of methodologies used in collecting statistical data on persons with disabilities in the labour force has been compiled. In most cases, the process initiated is still under way and support will be continued in Phase 2 of the Partnership Programme 2005-07. In this phase, technical support will be provided as before, a training course for key stakeholders will be conducted in collaboration with an appropriate national training institution, and support will be provided to a media campaign to promote positive images of persons with disabilities at work. The Committee notes with satisfaction the information provided and highly commends the Government’s approach that promotes the Convention at national and international levels, and asks the Government to continue providing information on measures adopted to promote employment in favour of persons with disabilities in the context of its national policy and international cooperation.