Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all want to bring about workplaces that are disability friendly. I welcome the fact that the Minister is talking about reviewing the disability awareness support scheme. Will she consider having a review of the workplace equipment adaptation grant? There has been a very low take-up of the grant. It can facilitate employers to get assistive technologies that may help those with disabilities. We dealt with the issue earlier at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Autism. We must facilitate third level institutions and people who are involved in support services for disabled people. Perhaps they could get it before the job interview. We must allow flexibility. We do not want employers to have to pay the money up-front, especially smaller employers who might not have all the resources a large employer would have. We have to look at engaging the Intreo workforce to engage with employers from the point of view of facilitating those with disabilities in the workplace.

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