David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the ways that people with disabilities are supported in employment; the amount of State funding made available through her Department in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 in order to support people with disabilities in employment; the programmes through which such funding was made available in each of the respective years; the amount made available under each programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11309/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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All FÁS services are open to people with disabilities. FÁS provides vocational training for the unemployed and new entrants to the labour market through specific skills training and traineeships. FÁS also provides training for those in employment through apprenticeships and in-company training. A person with a disability may call into a FÁS Employment Service Office for information, advice and guidance in relation to vocational training and employment.

FÁS also contracts with 20 Specialist Training Providers such as the National Learning Network, in 55 centres country-wide to deliver training courses to people with disabilities who require more intensive support than would be available in FÁS mainline training provision. People with disabilities may be supported while in employment by FÁS through the following programmes:

The Wage Subsidy Scheme, which was launched in September 2005, provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ people with disabilities who work more than 20 hours per week. The subsidies are structured under three strands and the employer can benefit from one, or all, simultaneously. Disabled employees who meet qualifying conditions are also able to avail of the Back to Work Allowance that is available through the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The Supported Employment Programme is an open labour market initiative providing people with disabilities with supports to help them access the open labour market. It is implemented by sponsor organisations on behalf of FÁS who 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.

Under its funding for Disability Supports and Awareness services, FÁS also operates a series of private sector employment supports to assist people with disabilities to access and progress in employment. It also includes supports for employers. Programmes under this heading include: Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, Job Interview/Personal Reader Grant, Employee Retention Grant, Disability Awareness Training Grant. Further details on the above programmes and supports are available on the FÁS website www.fas.ie

The total funding for dedicated FÁS programmes and supports for people with disabilities for the years requested are set out in Appendix 1. In addition to the above-mentioned programmes and supports, people with disabilities may also avail of work experience and training under the Community Employment (CE) Programme. The total number of people with disabilities availing of CE and the overall CE budget for the relevant years are contained in Appendix 2.