October 4, 2011
Firms encouraged to hire people with disabilities at employer event
WORKPLACE diversity brought more than 150 Cork firms together at the recent Employer Aware- ness Event hosted by Fas-funded Employability Services Cork and the McCarthy Insurance Group in Silver Springs.
Launching the event, Kathleen Lynch TD, Minister of State with re- sponsibility for Disability, Equality and Mental Health, said: "fn the cur- rent difficult economic climate we must create a more inclusive labour market to strengthen Ireland's future economic and social growth and provide opportunities for the unemployed and marginalised groups including people with disabilities." The event was spon- sored by McCarthy Insur- ance Group. Group prod- uct development manag- er Peter Kin/van said how employing people with disabilities does not affect a company's insurance.
FAS's south-west commu- nity services manager, Sean O'Sullivan, said: "FAS is fully committed to providing training and other necessary ancillary supports for people with disabilities to ensure that they have the greatest possible opportunities to find employment. FAS is particularly aware of the added importance of these provisions in the present climate." Other speakers includ- ed Christine Moloney of Leisureworld and Alan Meehan of Abbott Vascu- lar, both of which won in the Ability Awards 2010.
Both have employees with disabilities.
Also in attendance were representatives from IBEC, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Quintas, Cork Business Association, Heineken Ireland, Stryker, Kepak, Fota Island Resort,IITD Southern Chapter,Kanchi, Fas Services toBusiness, Local Employ-ment Service, NationalLearning Network, PWDI,Shine, IASE.
