Ability awards judges praise B of I

Bank of Ireland Customer Operations and Kerry Local Authorities were last night named as the overall winners of this year's O2 Ability Awards for their commitment to employing people with disabilities.

The awards, now in their second year, were presented by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Danuta Gray, chief executive of O2 Ireland at a ceremony at Dublin Castle last night. This is the second time that Kerry Local Authorities has picked up the top award for the public sector.

Six individual category winners were also named, with Aura Sports and Leisure Management taking the customer service and environmental accessibility accolades; Dell topping the leadership category; the Public Appointments Service winning the recruitment and selection award; while Hewlett Packard won the learning, development and progression award, as well as one for retention and wellbeing.

More than 100 organisations participated in this year's awards, which recognise employers who apply best practice to hiring and retaining staff with disabilities.

Fifty of the entrants received an award, ranging from large multinationals through to local councils and small companies. Overall the event aims to change the mindset about people with disabilities.

Mr Ahern praised the organisers and sponsors of the event for the way in which the awards highlight the "effective contribution" that people with disabilities make to businesses.

The awards are organised by Caroline Casey, founder of the Aisling Foundation, which promotes hiring people with disabilities. Speaking at the ceremony, she welcomed the fact that many company executives were in attendance. "They are making a statement that diversity is not something to be passed over or to be low on an organisation's list of priorities," she said. "They are saying it is good for business and I commend them for it. They are leading the change."

Ms Gray said she hoped other companies would follow suit and embrace the changes adopted by the winners and in turn help change the culture of employment in Ireland.

The judging panel commended Bank of Ireland for the "outstanding depth of its commitment to equality for people with disabilities," while Kerry was praised for the way it actively responds to customer feedback.

The ceremony, attended by Brian O'Driscoll and Keith Duffy, will be televised this evening.