Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I join the Tánaiste and the leader of Fianna Fáil in condemning the atrocious bomb attack on Istanbul. I extend solidarity and sympathy to the people of Turkey and to the victims and families of all those killed or injured.

The programme for a partnership Government commits that persons with disabilities should be supported to maximise their potential "by removing barriers which impact on access to services, education, work or healthcare". The comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities was launched on 2 October 2015 and was lauded as a vehicle to deliver equality of opportunity for citizens with disabilities, yet there was no funding ring-fenced for this strategy. Another group, comprising the Department of Social Protection, the National Disability Authority and other Departments, which was set up to examine the benefits and future of disability activation schemes, has met only twice and has yet to announce any plans. I am sure the Tánaiste will agree it is unacceptable. It is particularly unacceptable when one considers 600,000 people in this State live with a disability, more than half of which people are of working age.

In the constituency of Louth there is a unique programme called WALK PEER which enables young people with a disability to plot out their future by accessing opportunities in mainstream education, training and employment within their communities. In total, 119 young people have availed of this programme and have all had a very positive and empowering experience. Forty-nine have progressed to further education and 21 to the workforce. One young woman was recently granted a place at the Drogheda Institute of Further Education. Another young man is being supported in his ambition to become an usher in Leinster House. The scheme has forged vital links between these young citizens and employers, educators and the wider community. Regrettably, it was one of the 14 disability activation schemes jointly funded by the Department of Social Protection and the European Social Fund that had its funding withdrawn last summer. The one in Louth managed to stay open because it got some short-term funding from Ulster Bank. It was hoped that would be a stopgap measure while a comprehensive employment strategy was formulated. It makes no sense that a project like WALK PEER or any disability employment scheme should have to close its door because of the failure of Government to find a small amount of funding. It is only €350,000 that is involved. Given that the interdepartmental working group has still to come forward with a proposition, does the Tánaiste agree that funding should be urgently provided in the meantime to provide vital supports? Given that the Ministers, Deputy Finian McGrath and Deputy Leo Varadkar, are present, perhaps the Tánaiste will agree to this now.

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