Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy that we must help more people with disabilities get back to the workforce. That is very important. I worked to extend the Ability programme last year. That was funded through the EU and funding was due to finish but I met the appropriate people and ensured the Dormant Accounts Fund could support this excellent programme. I was given an outline of what the programme does and it really is fantastic work. They are working with people with disabilities and employers. They are getting people back to work. Employ Ability also provides a great service and it is a question of how we can build on that. As I have said, we will work across government to improve this.

We will certainly take the Deputy's points on board, particularly on the report commissioned by my Department. The steering group is looking at it and there are a number of different options we need to look at.

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