Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept the difficulties involved in creating employment generally. Problems also arise in the case of people who will lose social supports such as medical cards if they move into employment. Finding employment for people with disabilities is a long-standing problem. We must examine every obstacle that is placed in the way of people with intellectual and physical disabilities who wish to enter employment.

Action Plan for Jobs does not refer specifically to getting people with intellectual or physical disabilities into employment. Will the medium-term programme to be published in December include a strong emphasis on encouraging employers to employ people with disabilities and removing obstacles for those of them who want or need to enter the employment market? The obstacles and challenges facing many people with disabilities are too great. Will the Minister address any obstacles in her Department? The Department of Health must address the issue of medical cards. Ongoing, active engagement with employers is needed to encourage more people with disabilities to enter employment.

See this speech in context