Dan O’Neill Pushes Union Training to Cut Ireland’s 39% Disability Employment Gap
Updated
Updated · Ireland Live · May 10
Dan O’Neill Pushes Union Training to Cut Ireland’s 39% Disability Employment Gap
1 articles · Updated · Ireland Live · May 10
Limerick educator Dan O’Neill led a national Siptu College workshop training shop stewards and workers to support neurodivergent employees and press for workplace rights.
39% — Ireland’s disability employment gap is the highest in the EU, even as up to one in four employees now self-identify as neurodivergent.
The session focused on the Employment Equality Acts and on securing reasonable accommodations such as sensory-friendly workplaces and flexible scheduling to retain staff.
Siptu and O’Neill are urging employers to write neurodiversity protections into collective bargaining agreements so inclusion becomes a contractual right rather than a discretionary policy.
Why is Ireland failing to capitalize on the 30% productivity boost offered by neurodiverse teams?
As discrimination complaints surge, are Irish businesses ready for the legal fallout of workplace ableism?
Bridging Ireland’s Disability Employment Gap: Neurodiversity Advocacy, Legal Compliance, and Policy Reform for Inclusive Workplaces
Overview
Dan O’Neill, in partnership with SIPTU, is leading a major initiative to promote neurodiversity inclusion in Irish workplaces. This effort responds to a growing need, as up to one in four employees now identify as neurodivergent. The initiative focuses on ensuring employers understand their legal obligations under Section 16 of the Employment Equality Act, which requires them to provide reasonable accommodations for neurodivergent staff. By fostering a supportive environment and emphasizing the importance of tailored adjustments, the initiative aims to create accessible and equitable workplaces where all employees can thrive.