The Government has pledged to create more job opportunities for disabled people in the Civil Service as part of its National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025- 2030..
Leading by example to maximise job opportunities and access for disabled people, the Civil Service will enhance disability inclusion policies and practices, develop innovative recruitment, assessment and assignment practices, and offer clear pathways to permanent employment, for those who do a good job on work placement programmes. In addition, the Government commits to ensuring compliance across the civil and public sector with the 6% minimum statutory employment target for disabled people.
This Strategy marks a significant milestone in the advancement of disability rights in Ireland, as the first published since Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Strategy was launched at Dublin’s Mansion House on September 3, 2025. The development process for the Strategy was driven by disabled people and their representative organisations. The extensive consultation process included engagement with Disabled Persons’ Organisations, interviews, written submissions, town hall events across the country, a national questionnaire and focus groups with disabled women and girls, disabled LGBTIQ+ people, disabled Travellers and Roma, - ensuring that all voices were heard.
Speaking at the launch, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said, “We want disabled people to be able to get a good education, a meaningful job, have access to healthcare and transport, and to participate in their community just like everyone else. Delivery of this strategy will demand a genuine and significant whole-of-Government effort.”
“We will lead by example and maximise opportunities and access for disabled people to get meaningful work in the civil and public sector” and “expand the number and range of work placement opportunities with mentoring support and explore clear pathways to permanent employment in the Civil Service.”
Head of ED&I at publicjobs Louise Kavanagh welcomed the launch of the strategy saying, “publicjobs is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourages applications under all nine grounds of the employment equality acts. The ambitious commitments in the new strategy support our mission to recruit a diverse range of people with the talent, character, and commitment to deliver for Ireland. It is vital that underrepresented groups, including disabled people, have access to meaningful job opportunities in the Civil Service that lead to lasting, fulfilling careers. “
"We are proud to collaborate with departments across the Civil Service and a diverse range of civic society organisations on our inclusive pathways into employment for disabled people."