Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 12 July 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Statement of Strategy: Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Mr. Declan Hughes:

Yes. We have raised this issue and what more we could do most recently at our enterprise forum, which the Minister chairs and was attended by the Ministers of State, Deputies Calleary and Richmond. There was a strong openness to engagement and we will also take that forward with other sectors such as retail where we see potential. I would also hazard that there is probably potential there in other sectors such as hospitality, where there are very tight labour markets. People have disabilities for a range of reasons. They may not go back to their previous jobs if it is acquired in work but maybe there are opportunities for them to work in alternative roles as well.