David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if people with disabilities are eligible to participate in the National Employment Action Plan; if not, when they will be included; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15302/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The National Employment Action Plan Preventive Strategy (NEAP) involves a systematic referral of certain cohorts of registered unemployed persons by the Department of Social and Family Affairs (DSFA) to FÁS for assistance.

The National Development Plan (2007-2013), Towards 2016, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005, contain a commitment to extend the activation process to other disadvantaged groups. In this regard a High Level Inter-Departmental Group has been set up, comprising representatives from the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Social and Family Affairs, the Taoiseach and FÁS to examine how best this can be progressed having regard to the specific needs of each group. Through this group particular attention will be given to the circumstances pertaining to people with disabilities with a view to developing an appropriate and tailored activation process. This process will also be informed by the lessons learned from a recent pilot disability initiative which was developed and implemented by FÁS, in conjunction with the DSFA and the HSE in the Midlands region. The recommendations and findings of an external evaluation are currently being studied.

I am informed by FÁS that, currently, all people with disabilities who voluntarily present to FÁS for assistance receive priority in relation to accessing training, employment programmes or any other job-seeking related services provided by FÁS. Such clients are 'caseloaded' by FÁS as necessary, so as to provide an intensive guidance and support service, until they secure employment or are deemed to be 'job-ready'. In addition, FÁS has developed a range of tailored programmes and interventions to assist people with disabilities enter/re-enter the workforce, e.g. the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Supported Employment Programme, Personal Reader Grant, Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, access to Specialist Training Providers and other individualised supports.