Annual Accounts for the year ending 31st December 2007

Chapter 7
Developing an Organisation of Excellence
The Disability Act 2005, in Ireland, also required a pro active approach to addressing
equality issues in employment. In February 2007 Waterways Ireland was required to
undertake a survey of all staff employed in Ireland in order to establish baseline data on
the number of disabled people employed by the body. A target of 3% has been set by
Government. A monitoring report consisting of narrative statement and a data table
was submitted to the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DCRGA)
in March.
Waterways Ireland’s Sponsorship Programme is an annual programme used to engage
with and support a wide range of community groups throughout the island, building
good relations and promoting equality and inclusiveness. In order to enhance the
level of engagement with representative groups, a targeted advertising campaign was
conducted further to advice from the Equality authorities in both jurisdictions. This
included advertisements in Age Action’s “Ageing Matters” newsletter, Gay Community
News’ magazine and the Irish Wheelchair’s “Spokeout” magazine. Additionally,
information was provided to the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI), the
National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) and the
Community NI website.
During 2007 Waterways Ireland developed an Affirmative Action Plan in consultation
with the Equality Commission Northern Ireland (ECNI) to redress a perceived underrepresentation
of members of the Protestant Community in applicants applying for
posts in Waterways Ireland. The Plan agreed with ECNI included a number of pro active
measures designed to encourage interest from the Protestant Community in vacancies
and job opportunities within Waterways Ireland.
7.4.2 Access for All implementation
Waterways Ireland is committed to promoting access for all to our services, facilities and
communications.
Corporate publications are screened internally by the Equality Unit to identify and
address, where possible, potential equality issues. Waterways Ireland continues to offer
corporate publications in alternative formats on request, including large print, Braille,
audio cassette, computer disc and Ulster Scots.
The organisation’s Access for Disabled Persons Policy was approved for implementation.
An important part of the implementation of this policy is the development of best
practice guideline documents for staff. Work commenced on a suite of these documents
to include “Making Written Documents Accessible for All” and “Providing Public Services
to Deaf People”, during 2007.
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Waterways Ireland Annual Report and Accounts 2007