Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are sensible employment opportunities available for deaf people; and if he will outline these as a matter of priority. [41099/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Advances in communication technology are continuing to transform the lives of deaf people and have opened up employment opportunities that were once considered unattainable. Consequently, there are very few employment opportunities for which deaf job applicants would be unsuited. For example, webcams allow for sign language and/or lip reading communication at a distance. For persons with partial hearing speaker phones, amplifier phones and a variety of loop systems help to significantly over communication difficulties.

In addition, FÁS also provides a range of schemes and grants to assist disabled people and/or employers interested in hiring a disabled person. These are as follows:

Job Interview Interpreter Grant — This grant is intended for job seekers with a significant hearing or speech impairment who are attending job interviews. The job seeker can apply for funding to have an interpreter attend the interview with them. A grant of €106.68 for a three hour period is normally paid by FÁS, together with travel costs for the interpreter.

Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant — This grant is available to employers in the private sector who need to adapt equipment or the workplace to accommodate a disabled employee. The maximum FÁS grant is €6,350, which covers minor building modifications such as ramps or accessible toilets; alarm systems, assistive equipment for computers, amplifiers for telephones, etc.

Supported Employment Programme — The Supported Employment Programme provides supports to disabled people, who traditionally have had difficulty getting into paid employment. The programme is carried out by sponsor organisations on behalf of FÁS. The sponsor organisations employ job coaches who provide a range of supports tailored to the individual needs of the job seeker with a disability that may include:

helping the job seeker to identify his/her skills and interests;

assisting the job seeker to find a suitable job;

analysing the tasks involved in the job and using this to plan the supports to be provided;

providing on-the-job training and support when the person commences in employment;

providing on-going support to employee and employer for an agreed time period.

Since January 2005, the current FÁS Supported Employment Sponsor on the North side of Dublin is: Work 4 You Ltd, Unit 1-3 Ballymun Enterprise Centre, Ballymun Industrial Estate, Dublin 11.

FÁS Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) — The FÁS Wage Subsidy Scheme provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ disabled people who work more than 20 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 hours. A person availing of the Wage Subsidy Scheme is subject to the same conditions of employment as other employees, including PRSI contributions, annual leave, tax deductions, and the employer pays the going rate for the job, as per any other employee. Employees hired under this Scheme may also qualify for the Department of Social and Family Affairs Back to Work Allowance. The subsidies are structured under three separate strands and employers can benefit under one or all, simultaneously. Further details of these, and other supports, may be obtained through the FÁS website (www.fas.ie) under 'Disability'.

Community Employment Programme — The Community Employment programme is operated by FÁS to provide work experience and training for disadvantaged persons, and is available to those with a disability. Participation rates for people with disabilities on the programme have been increased under the Sectoral Plan for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the Disability Act, 2005.

Deaf people seeking to enter the open labour market are advised initially to call into their local FÁS office to avail of an interview with an Employment Services Officer who will advise on the range of employment options and FÁS supports that are in place to assist disabled people obtain employment.