Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 217: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has to allow persons with disabilities to remain on FÁS schemes for unlimited periods; her further plans to facilitate persons with disabilities to remain on the schemes indefinitely in view of the fact that many of these people find it almost impossible to secure employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30460/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Community Employment (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons (including those with a disability) with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a fixed term basis. CE helps unemployed people to re-enter the active workforce by breaking their experience of unemployment through a return to a work routine and to assist them to enhance/develop both their technical and personal skills.

In July 2006 my Department published its Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act, 2005. One of the key highlights of this Plan was the increased participation rates of people with disabilities on CE over the period of the Plan and the raised CE participation limits for people with disabilities in order to provide additional training to assist progression to employment:

For people with disabilities under 55 years of age, the participation limit was raised by one year from 3 to 4 years; and

For people with disabilities over 55 years of age, the participation limit was also raised by one year from 6 to 7 years.

The aim of CE still remains as an active labour market programme with the emphasis on progression into employment. The programme is managed within this context, with consideration to the availability of resources and the needs of participants and the community. FÁS makes every effort to ensure that differing levels of demand between neighbouring schemes are equalised. FÁS also operates the programme flexibly as far as possible to ensure the continuation of community projects.

In conclusion then, I would say that this Government will continue to support the positive role of CE in meeting the needs of long-term unemployed persons while at the same time providing essential services to communities. In this regard, we are keeping the operation of the Scheme under constant review.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 218: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans to establish a FÁS scheme for persons with disabilities; the long term schemes available for persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30463/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As part of Government policy on mainstreaming all FÁS Services are open to people with disabilities. In this regard the services and programmes in place may be summarised as follows:

Main Services provided by FÁS:

FÁS operates training and employment programmes; provides a recruitment service to jobseekers and employers; an advisory service for industry; and supports community based enterprises. Services for people with disabilities are mainstreamed within this context. Programmes for people with disabilities are 'demand–led' in that take up of same is voluntary, and there is no element of penalty involved for those who do not wish to engage, for whatever reason.

People with disabilities may call into a FÁS Employment Services Office or Local Employment Service Office to meet with an Employment Services Officer or Mediator who will provide them with full information, advice and guidance in relation to training and employment. People with disabilities, who meet the entry criteria, are able to participate in the full range of FÁS programmes and services, including mainline training provision. For example, there are currently 5,942 participants, or 28 % of total participants, with disabilities on Community Employment. FÁS also provides a range of positive action measures to assist the entry into employment of people with disabilities. These include:

Specialist Training Providers

FÁS contracts with 20 specialist training providers, such as the National Learning Network, in 55 centres to deliver vocational training to people with disabilities who require more intensive support than would be available in the mainline options. This training is provided exclusively to people with disabilities within a segregated setting. A budget of €54.95m is being provided to specialist training provision in 2008.

Supported Employment Programme

The Supported Employment Programme is an open labour market initiative providing people with disabilities, who are 'job-ready', with supports to help them access the open labour market. It 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. A review of the programme has recently been carried out and a FÁS Action Plan on foot of reforms recommended in the review is nearing completion. A budget of €8.8m is being provided to the programme in 2008.

Wage Subsidy Scheme

The Wage Subsidy Scheme provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ people with disabilities who work more than 20 hours per week. The scheme provides payment of a wage subsidy to the employer to compensate for the reduced productivity of the disabled worker. The scheme is designed to provide incentive to employers to look more closely at the potential of people with disabilities to meet their labour force requirements. A review of this scheme has also been carried out and a response to the review recommendations is currently under consideration. For 2008, a budget of €10.5m is being provided to the scheme.

Employee Retention Grant Scheme

The Employee Retention Grant Scheme is available to private sector employers when an employee acquires a disability whether occupational or not. It provides funding to identify accommodation or training to enable the employee to remain in their current position, or to re-train them to take up another position within the organisation.

Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant

The Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant is available to employers in the private sector who need to adapt equipment or the workplace to accommodate people with disabilities. The maximum grant provided is €6,350 and covers minor building modifications such as ramps or accessible toilets; assistive technology; amplifiers for telephones, etc.

Job Interview/Induction Interpreter Grant

The Job Interview/Induction Interpreter Grant is available to cover the costs of an interpreter up to a maximum of €106.68 for a three-hour period for interview and induction purposes, where an interviewee or new staff member is deaf, hard of hearing, or has a speech impediment.

Personal Reader Grant

The Personal Reader Grant is available for the blind or visually impaired who require assistance with job-related reading, this is a grant to permit the employment of a personal reader. FÁS will pay a fee per hour for this service, in line with the national minimum wage for a maximum of 640 hours per annum.

Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme

The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme assists the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace and helps to eliminate mistaken perceptions about them. It is available to all companies in the private sector who are interested in employing, retaining or relating to people with disabilities. Funding of up to 90% of training costs is available in the first year, and up to 80% of costs in subsequent years, with an annual limit of €20,000 payable to an organisation. To avail of this funding training must be carried out by a FÁS approved training organisation or trainer.

The combined budget in 2008 for the Employee Retention Grant Scheme, Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, Job Interview Interpreter Grant, Personal Reader Grant and Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme amounts to €2.1 million. This gives a total budget of € 76.350 million for disability-specific programmes.

FÁS schemes and programmes are monitored and kept under regular review as part of overall employment and training policy for people with disabilities under the Sectoral Plan of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.