Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the training services that are currently offered to former carers when their caring duties come to an end; and the services that are specifically geared towards the needs of former carers. [46409/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The role of a carer, and how that role may diminish or cease over time, is recognised. FÁS provides support to clients to access bereavement and loss training/supports if this need is identified to assist the person return to work or training. People who have been in receipt of a carer's allowance can avail of all FÁS training and employment programmes when their eligibility for carer's allowance ceases. For those who wish to work in the care sector, there are a number of programmes currently available, i.e., a range of Child care programmes, Personal Assistant (Assisted Living) and Care for the Elderly. Personal Development and Return to Work courses can also benefit those making decisions about re-entering the workforce. For carer's who have completed their caring duties and wish to access FÁS training, a training bonus of €31.80 will be paid to those who have been in receipt of a carer's allowance for more than 12 months prior to participating on a FÁS training course. This will be in addition to the regular training allowance of €197 (full-time) or €113 (part-time) per week.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 163: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of people with disabilities who participated in the FÁS supported employment programme which provides open labour market supports in 2006, 2007 and 2008; the number of job coaches employed under this scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46510/08]

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Supported Employment Programme is an active labour market initiative to assist jobseekers with a disability to find employment in the open labour market, and is operated by FÁS on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. FÁS estimate that between 2006 and 2008 there was an average of 2,200 active clients participating annually on the programme. A new electronic tracking system to record and monitor outcomes on the Supported Employment Programme has recently been introduced by FÁS. A total of 120 job coaches employed by 23 local supported employment sponsor organisations deliver the programme on behalf of FÁS.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 164: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the research, surveys and other information gathering processes her Department has conducted, under its commitment in the Disability Act sectoral plan, to gather necessary baseline information on people with disabilities in relation to the assessment of engagement strategies, participation, retention and certification rates, standards outcome and value for money of labour market measures; the action she has taken to improve employment and training opportunities for people with disabilities as a result; if the target of one access officer to coordinate disability supports per region has been reached; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46511/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Extensive research relating to the employment of people with disabilities has been conducted by my Department, and FÁS, with a view to gathering information as part of the Department's commitments under the Disability Act, 2005. A review of the operation of the Wage Subsidy Scheme and a study on acquired disability and employment have been carried out on behalf of my Department. A survey of private sector employers' attitudes to recruiting people with disabilities, and their level of awareness of FÁS grants for the adaptation, recruitment, and retention of people with disabilities has been carried out on behalf of FÁS. A review of the effectiveness of the Supported Employment Programme in the context of current operating standards has also been carried out on behalf of FÁS.

A study of the efficiency and effectiveness of vocational training and rehabilitative training services for people with disabilities provided by Specialist Training Providers has been carried out on behalf of my Department and FÁS, and the Department of Health and Children. In the context of the implementation by my Department of a comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities the actioning of the findings and recommendations contained in these reports is expected to improve future training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. A draft outline of the implementation of a comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities has been developed by my Department, and has recently been discussed with the Consultative Forum on an Employment Strategy for people with disabilities that has been established under the Department's Sectoral Plan. A key focus of the strategy is on effecting the optimal changes to existing programmes, schemes and services, in particular with regard to the Supported Employment Programme and the Wage Subsidy Scheme.

The overall objective of the implementation of such a comprehensive employment strategy is to enhance the operation and effectiveness of the range of FÁS supports and services for facilitating increased participation of people with disabilities in the labour market in the context of the employment target set by the Sectoral Plan. The Plan provides for an increase by 7,000 in the employment of people with disabilities capable of holding a job by 2010. The Sectoral Plan will be reviewed in 2009. A proposal to implement an access and learning support service in FÁS mainline training centres has been developed, and the appointment of an access officer to coordinate these services is under active consideration by FÁS.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 165: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if a joint bridging programme between health funded rehabilitative training services and vocational training services to ensure progression and vocational advancement for persons who have the ability and potential to progress from rehabilitative to vocational training, in particular FÁS training, has been established between her Department and the Department of Health and Children as per her Department's commitment in the Disability Act sectoral plan; the progress that has been made in improving the delivery of effective services to people with disabilities as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46512/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The need for developing a joint bridging programme between HSE funded rehabilitative training services and FÁS funded vocational training services for people with disabilities is acknowledged in the Sectoral Plans of my Department and the Department of Health and Children. The development of such a joint bridging programme has been the subject of detailed discussions between FÁS and the HSE, and of necessary follow-on discussions with providers within FÁS. Arrangements are now at an advanced stage by FÁS Community Services to roll out a pilot bridging programme in 2009. FÁS Community Services have also developed a separate joint bridging initiative with St. Joseph's Foundation in Charleville, County Cork. The aim of this project, which has recently commenced, is to test and develop a suitable training programme specification to assist in the transition from rehabilitative training to vocational training with a view to entering the open labour market.