Written answers

Tuesday, 17 June 2008

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Employment Support Services

11:00 pm

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 520: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to improve employment incentive schemes for businesses to employ workers with disabilities in view of the economic downturn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23175/08]

Photo of Mary CoughlanMary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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One of the key programmes to encourage the employment of people with disabilities is the Wage Subsidy Scheme.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme is operated by FÁS on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Scheme is available to all employers (except public service employers and/or any employers or schemes where wages are funded by FÁS) in the State who provide a minimum of 21 hours of employment per week to disabled workers. The objective of the scheme is to increase the number of persons with a disability in employment, and as far as practicable provide a level playing field for them in seeking out or remaining in employment.

An independent consultancy of the Wage Subsidy Scheme, which has been commissioned by my Department, has recently been completed and is now being considered by my Department in consultation with FÁS. The findings of this review will inform the Department and FÁS on how the effectiveness of the programme may be enhanced in the future as an incentive to both employers and disabled employees.

The FÁS Supported Employment programme is another programme in this area which is an open labour market initiative providing supports to people with disabilities to help them access employment opportunities in the open labour market. The programme is implemented by sponsor organisations on behalf of FÁS, which employ job coaches to provide a range of supports tailored to the individual needs of a jobseeker. The ultimate outcome is that the employee becomes independent of job coach support.

FÁS has commissioned an independent consultancy review on the operations and effectiveness of the Supported Employment programme. The consultants' report has recently been finalised and is being considered by FÁS in consultation with my Department. The report will inform changes and improvements in the future operation of the programme based on its analysis and recommendations.

The total budget for FÁS programmes and schemes aimed at facilitating employment and training opportunities for people with a disability has been increased from €73.7 million in 2007 to €77 million in the current year.

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