David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 240 of 19 December 2007, if the Goodbody review of the FÁS wage subsidy scheme has been completed; if he has received the report of same; if he is considering making changes to the scheme criteria and conditions, in particular in relation to retention of secondary and other benefits by participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8401/08]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 1142 of 31 January 2007, the funding that is being provided to employers for employer grants and schemes which support the employment of people with disabilities in 2007 and 2008 respectively, in particular the FÁS wage subsidy scheme and the workplace equipment adaptation grant scheme; if he is satisfied at the progress and take-up rates of these schemes; if he will provide details of same for these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8400/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 67 together.

The FÁS budget that has been assigned specifically to programmes for people with a disability was € 73.7 million in 2007. The budget for 2008 is € 77.0 million.

The main employer grants and schemes in place are the Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, the Disability Awareness Training Grant and the Employee Retention Grant.

The budgets and outcomes of these programmes in 2007 were as follows:

The total budgets for the Wage Subsidy Scheme and Disability Support/Awareness programmes will remain constant this year.

In addition, the FÁS Supported Employment Programme is available to assist people with disabilities who have difficulties in accessing employment on the open labour market. The budget for this programme for 2007 was €8.5 million, of which €8.3 million was spent. The budget for this year is €8.8 million.

The total number of participants on the Wage Subsidy Scheme at the end-January last was 1150. That figure comprised 501 new entrants as well as participants from the now defunct Employment Support Scheme and the Pilot Employment Programme. The latter schemes were incorporated into the Wage Subsidy Scheme at the outset.

Consultants commissioned by my Department are currently reviewing the operation and impact of the Wage Subsidy Scheme. That review will shortly be finalised.

Consultants commissioned by FÁS are also currently reviewing the Supported Employment Programme. That also is now nearing completion.

I have been closely following the work of the consultants in both cases and my Department has made a significant input into their endeavours. While I do not want to anticipate their outcome, I anticipate that they will come as a prelude to a refocusing of relevant policy and operational supports that seek to materially assist in improving the working life chances of those with disabilities. My objective and that of the Government is to ensure that those citizens who want to train for work or get a job are given every support and facility with their efforts to do so.