Ms Marie Killeen:

I feel we are going in the right direction, compared with ten years ago. What is different between Ireland and Sweden boils down to part-time permanent positions not being available here. They are not available from the very start. For example, if work experience as a stepping stone to get in the door is available in a part-time capacity, it would lead nicely to the wage subsidy scheme in a part-time capacity, which would also lead to part-time permanent contracts being available. They are not. Many of the people we support are looking for positions, but they cannot work full time and are at risk of losing their disability allowance. For many people, that is not a risk they can take. The risk of losing the disability allowance and any other benefits they may have - they are not easy to get - means it is sometimes just not feasible for disabled people to work. In comparing Sweden and Ireland, the crux of the matter is the need to make part-time permanent positions available.