Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The most recent estimate of the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the labour force was contained in the 2004 CSO QNHS disability update. This indicated that there were 110,800 people with disabilities in employment, which actually represented an increase of 900 on the 2002 figure. However, it is true that the percentage of those aged 15 to 64 with disabilities in employment fell from 40% to 37% over the period. This was due to the increase in the total number of 15 to 64 year-olds with a disability over the period. However, the CSO attributed this change to small survey changes rather than to a real significant increase.

This Government is committed to addressing the needs of those with disabilities. In particular, we are committed to removing the obstacles which make it difficult for people with disabilities to participate in the labour market. We have already done a great deal in this area. Under the Government's mainstreaming policy, my Department through FÁS is seeking to increase the participation of disabled workers through a three-pronged approach involving facilitating progression into sustainable employment through skills development, stimulating awareness amongst employers of the contribution that disabled people can make and encouraging their recruitment and providing specific employment supports for disabled people and employers.

People with disabilities now benefit from the full range of FÁS training programmes and services. Since 2002 FÁS has realised more than 29,000 placements of people with disabilities in open labour market employment, training and employment programmes. Since 2002, the FÁS budget for vocational training and employment for people with disabilities has increased from €54 million to €70 million. This includes additional funds to ensure accessibility of FÁS premises and services for people with disabilities.

FÁS provides an extensive range of schemes and grants specifically to promote the employment of people with disabilities in the private sector. These include the workplace or equipment adaptation grant, the employee retention grant scheme, the job interview interpreter grant and the personal reader grant.

Earlier this year, a new wage subsidy scheme was also introduced by FÁS. This is a significant initiative which has a 2005 budget of €10 million. The scheme offers financial support to employers outside the public sector to encourage them to employ people with disabilities who work in excess of 20 hours per week. Unlike other schemes, the potential exists for both the employee and the employer to receive an incentive. Therefore, I expect that this scheme will contribute to an improvement in the employment rate to which the Deputy refers.

In addition, the sectoral plan my Department is currently preparing for its area of responsibility in the context of the Disability Act will help set the agenda for addressing the remaining issues for people with disabilities participating in the labour market. It is an agenda this Government is committed to implementing.

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