Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps he intends to take to reduce the level of unemployment among people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4069/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The 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 great deal 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: first, facilitating progression into sustainable employment through skills development; second, stimulating awareness among employers of the contribution that disabled people can make and encouraging them to recruit them; and, third, providing specific employment supports for disabled people and employers.

People with disabilities now benefit from the full range of FÁS training programmes and services. Since 2002 FÁS has realised approximately 29,000 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 increased from €54 million to €64 million in 2005.

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.

In addition, last year I launched a new wage subsidy scheme. FÁS administers the scheme. It offers financial support to employers outside the public sector to encourage them to employ disabled people. Grants varying between €7,650 and €9,500 are indefinitely available for each person recruited into employment.

My Department is currently preparing a multi-annual sectoral plan. The primary objective of this plan will be to ensure that those disabled people who aspire to avail of vocational training and employment options are given those opportunities, with the necessary financial and other supports. In formulating our plan, extensive consultations are under way and the viewpoints of all will be given careful consideration. We will also give close attention to the level of success of State supports provided to date and the need to adapt them as necessary.