Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. Since the Government was elected, we have prioritised the Cabinet committee on disability, which is chaired by the Taoiseach and meets monthly. It is addressing a range of issues, including income, but also services and supports. We had a discussion with Deputy John Connolly earlier about the wage subsidy scheme to assist employers and encourage them to employ people with a disability. We will be relaunching the reformed wage subsidy scheme next week and giving people information. In our Department, we are in the early stages of the early engagement process, which proactively seeks to assist disabled people who wish to return to work and to give them supports through specially trained Intreo staff. All engagement on this is on a voluntary basis. Some 3,000 referrals have been made through the early engagement process for further education or employment supports. We have also, as referred to earlier, launched the WorkAbility programme, which is co-financed with the EU employment, inclusion, skills and training programme. In 2024, more than 1,400 people engaged in projects supported by WorkAbility. That gives a sense of the work under way across the country. However, we have much more to do. I have determined that my Department will do its part. Other Departments need to do so too. That is why the Government is focused on a new national disability strategy.

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