Calleary Targets Ireland's EU-Worst Disability Jobs Gap as 22% of Mr Price Staff Are Disabled
Updated
Updated · RTÉ News · Jul 6
Calleary Targets Ireland's EU-Worst Disability Jobs Gap as 22% of Mr Price Staff Are Disabled
3 articles · Updated · RTÉ News · Jul 6
Summary
Dara Calleary said he will not rest until Ireland cuts the EU's widest disability employment gap, making the issue a focus of an informal EU ministers' meeting in Ballina.
Ireland also has one of the bloc's lowest employment rates for disabled people, and the government has commissioned a paper on what action could be taken at EU level.
Mr Price offered one model employers could copy: 22% of its 1,800 workers are disabled, built through work-experience links with the National Learning Network, EmployAbility and Chime.
Calleary said employers are missing out on highly talented people, while business and employment groups argued inclusive hiring is a commercial advantage rather than charity.
The Ballina meeting also covered employment and breaking Europe's poverty cycle, underscoring Ireland's use of its EU presidency to push social policy issues.