Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I agree. Dr. Tamming has correctly pointed out that a lot of investment has gone into special education, but there is no point in talking about it in monetary terms if we do not have the outcomes. We need to have the vision but we also need to be able to measure the outcomes and have better outcomes than just talk about the money that goes into it.

Article 27, on work and employment, refers to people with disabilities having the right to work in an environment that is open, inclusive, supportive, accessible and obviously free from discrimination. Disabled Peoples International, DPI, highlights that 37% of working-age people with disabilities would work if the circumstances were right and obviously, the circumstances are not right. The European Commission country report on employment, social affairs and inclusion still reflects Ireland as a laggard with regard to people with disabilities having a higher than average unemployment rate.

What is needed to increase employment rates? What is the cost benefit for unemployed disabled people to take on work considering the possible loss of disability allowance, medical card and other measures?

I am sure the witnesses are familiar with the OWL programme here Leinster House, which I was really pleased to initiate, having had some involvement with KARE before. It is involved in the programme, along with WALK.

Obviously, it is only a small cohort of people but it has been incredibly successful in getting full-time employment for people with disabilities. Is there any way the NDA feels that could be rolled out among State organisations in particular? Some of the work placements afterwards have been in Leinster House, but some have not. It is opening other employers to the value having disabled people can bring, but also the talents they can bring to the workplace.