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

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am very aware of the importance of employment for disabled people. My Department has a number of supports available to assist them. Through our nationwide network of Intreo centres, we provide a case-managed employment service for jobseekers with disabilities. The person works with an employment personal adviser with a view to agreeing a suitable personal progression plan to access the full range of employment supports available. The Department contracts specialist employment services, called EmployAbility, to provide both pre-employment and in-employment support and assistance for disabled people and a recruitment and job-matching service for employers. Early engagement is targeted at recipients of a disability payment. It involves the public employment service actively engaging with people with disabilities at the earliest opportunity, on a voluntary basis, and offering supports to assist them in achieving their employment ambitions.

In December 2023, I announced the establishment of the new WorkAbility programme to support the employment of people with disabilities under the European Social Fund Plus. The programme has an overall budget of up to €36.29 million and will run from January 2024 to December 2028. It aims to support up to 13,000 disabled people to progress their training and employment ambitions over its lifetime. It will be delivered by 56 local and community organisations nationwide.

On 30 July, I launched the work and access scheme in Athlone. The scheme offers seven supports to help to reduce or remove barriers in the workplace for people with a disability and allow them to get a job or stay in work. The supports include funding for a workplace needs assessment, communication supports and equipment. Funding is also available to employers for workplace adaptations and disability awareness training. The work and access scheme is open to all non-public sector employers, including the self-employed and people working in the community and voluntary sector. Supports are available for both business premises and remote workplaces. I have allocated an additional €1 million a year to implement the work and access programme.

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