Written answers

Tuesday, 15 November 2005

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Funding for Disability

9:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 358: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Question No. 165 of 9 November 2005, the way in which the funding, with special reference to the extra funding, which his Department received for people with disabilities as published in the expenditure estimates in November 2004 and subsequently on budget day 2004 has been used or will be used; the way in which this funding has been disbursed; the mechanisms in place to ensure that the funding is spent correctly; if he has satisfied himself that auditing procedures are in place and are adequate in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34462/05]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Funding under the 2005 expenditure Estimates is being provided by my Department to FÁS to increase the labour market participation of disabled workers. FÁS provides an extensive range of schemes and grants specifically to promote the employment of people with disabilities in the private sector. In 2005, FÁS has allocated the following amounts to these dedicated schemes and grants: €44.144 million for specialist training provision. Because some disabled people who avail of FÁS training may require additional training duration, enhanced programme content, reduced trainer or trainee ratios and/or staff specifically qualified in training disabled people, FÁS contracts with approximately 20 specialist agencies to provide this enhanced vocational training; €10 million for the wage subsidy scheme. This scheme commenced in September 2005 and subsumed the budget allocated to the employment support scheme and pilot employment programme. This amount includes a special increased allocation of €5million provided under the 2005 Estimates. The scheme provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ disabled people who work more than 20 hours per week. The subsidies are structured under three separate strands and employers can benefit under one or all, simultaneously. Unlike other schemes, the potential exists for supports being provided to both the employee and the employer; €7.968 million for the supported employment programme. This programme is an open labour market initiative that works toward the placement and support of disabled people who need the initial support of a job coach to obtain and maintain employment. The programme is carried out by sponsor organisations on behalf of FÁS. These sponsors employ the job coaches who provide a range of supports tailored to the individual needs of the jobseeker with a disability; €2 million for additional employment related supports. This includes the work equipment and adaptation grant, the personal reader grant, the job interview interpreter grant, the employee retention grant scheme. It also provides for a subsidy for employers who wish to provide disability awareness training in their workplaces.

The allocations detailed above are dedicated exclusively to programmes for disabled people and cannot be subsumed by other programmes within FÁS. Funding provision outlined does not include the cost of training disabled people in FÁS mainline centres, on contracted training or disabled people participating on employment programmes such as community employment or social economy.

Expenditure and activity against this budget are monitored throughout the year to ensure that monies are spent effectively, efficiently and correctly in line with the purpose for which they are voted. FÁS accounts are subject to annual audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

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