TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY is joining hundreds of employers participating in Job Shadow Day, allowing a person with disabilities to join him for his day’s work.

The event is part of the National Supported Employment Week, run by the Irish Association of Supported Employment.

In the Dáil this morning the Taoiseach’s shadow, Cian O’Connor, was greeted with a warm round of applause from all sides of the house.

“Today is natioal Job Shadow Day in respect of people in supported employment,” the Taoiseach said, before pointing to the public gallery where O’Connor was sitting.

“I’d like the house to recognise Cian O’Connor up there, who is shadowing the Taoiseach today in my work over in the Department of the Taoiseach.

“I just happen to be just one of hundreds of people all over the country who are being shadowed by people in supported employment today, and I think that’s a very good thing to do.”

Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett commented that he hoped O’Connor did not “pick up any bad habits” from observing the activity in the Dáil.

The programme is designed to give people with disabilities a chance to get an up-close experience of the working world, and to appraise the skills and qualities needed for full employment.

(YouTube credit: IASEmployment)