About the report
This is the eighteenth annual report by the National Disability Authority (NDA) on employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector. The NDA has a statutory role in monitoring the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector, arising from Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005. The key findings from this report for 2023 are as follows:
- Overall, the public sector exceeded the current minimum target of 3% for the thirteenth successive year
- The total number of employees in the relevant public sector bodies was 273,747, an increase of 13,313 (+5.1%) from 2022
- The number of employees reporting a disability increased from 10,631 in 2022 to 11,254 in 2023 (+623, +5.9%). However, the percentage of employees reporting a disability remained at 4.1%, the same as 2022 because of the significant increase in the total number of employees in the public sector in 2023 (+13,313, +5.1%)
- 160 public bodies (76.2%) met the forthcoming 4.5% target (from 2024) compared to 141 public bodies (66.2%) in 2022
- 110 public bodies (52.4%) met the forthcoming 6% target (from 2025) compared to 103 (48.4%) in 2022
In 2023, we introduced new questions on the measures public bodies had in place to meet their obligations under Part 5.
We were pleased to note that as per our guidance the most common method of data collection used by 156 (74.3%) public bodies was an all-staff census. We also noted that the majority of public bodies (200 bodies, 95.2%) said that providing reasonable accommodations in the recruitment process was the measure they used to increase the recruitment and retention of persons with disabilities.
The NDA notes the progress public bodies continue to make in meeting their obligation under Part 5. However, we consistently advise public bodies that if they are to reach the minimum 6% target by 2025, they need to focus on implementing measures to increase the recruitment of disabled people and to support employees to feel comfortable sharing their disability status.