Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 154: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress which has been made since 2002 to increase the participation of disabled workers in the labour force. [25505/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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This Government is committed to addressing the needs of those with disabilities. In particular, we are committed to removing the obstacles which make it difficult for people with disabilities to participate in the labour market. We have already done a lot in this area. Under the Government's mainstreaming policy, my Department through FÁS is seeking to increase the participation of disabled workers through a three-pronged approach involving: facilitating progression into sustainable employment through skills development; stimulating awareness among employers of the contribution that disabled people can make; and encouraging employers to recruit them; and providing specific employment supports for disabled people and employers.

As I said, we have done a lot. People with disabilities now benefit from the full range of FÁS training programmes and services. Since 2002 FÁS has realised approximately 25,000 placements of people with disabilities in employment, training and other options. Since 2002 the FÁS budget for vocational training and employment for people with disabilities has increased from €54 million to €64 million.

Of this €64 million, €45 is being used by specialist training providers, €10 million is for the new wage subsidy scheme, €7 million is for the supported employment programme and €2 million is being used for disability support awareness. FÁS provides an extensive range of schemes and grants specifically to promote the employment of people with disabilities in the private sector. These include: the workplace or equipment adaptation grant; the employee retention grant scheme; the job interview interpreter grant; and the personal reader grant.

Earlier this year I launched a new wage subsidy scheme. This is a significant new initiative, which has a 2005 budget of €10 million, administered by FÁS. The scheme offers financial support to employers outside the public sector to encourage them to employ disabled people who work in excess of 20 hours per week. Unlike other schemes, the potential exists for both the employee and the employer to receive an incentive.

The sectoral plan which my Department is currently preparing for its area of responsibility in the context of the Disability Act will help set the agenda for addressing the remaining issues for people with disabilities participating in the labour market. It is an agenda which this Government is committed to implementing.