Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of persons with disabilities who have been employed through the FÁS job initiative scheme in each of the past five years; the cost of running this scheme in each of the past five years; the cost of running this scheme in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45733/09]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Job Initiative (JI) is a programme providing full-time employment for people who, at the time of application, were 35 years of age or over, unemployed for 5 years or more and in receipt of Unemployment Benefit, Unemployment Assistance or One Parent Family Payment over that period.

Following changes introduced Job Initiative by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in November 2004, there is currently no recruitment onto the programme since that date, while existing participants have their annual contracts renewed until retirement age.

Analysis of the participants on JI for the last five years who were previously in receipt of a disability-linked Social Welfare payment (including current year to date figures) are set out below. The annual programme costs have also been included in the table:

In addition 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.

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; and Disability Awareness Training Grant. Further details on the above programmes and supports are available on the FÁS website www.fas.ie