Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

In relation to poverty, the cost-of-disability payment is going to be very focused on addressing that. As stated, there will be a need to make it as relevant as possible. I want to see us open up our imagination in the context of employment opportunities for people with disabilities and that we offer more opportunities in the digital space and in the creative space. That is why we have made some changes to the wage subsidy scheme to make it more efficient and attractive. We are constantly working to provide opportunities for people with disabilities. During the most recent work and skills week in October, we had a specific careers fair in partnership with AsIAm. That focused on people with autism and the skills and talents they can bring to any organisation. There was a really good response, and I intend to expand on that next year. In that context, Deputy Heneghan just made an interesting proposal regarding employment opportunities here in the Houses.

We need to reimagine what the employment opportunities are for people with disabilities. We are too reliant on older models and I look forward to working with any organisation that can bring solutions to the table in that regard.

See this speech in context