Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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125. To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the fact that persons with Down's syndrome are one of the most under-represented groups in the labour market, her plans to address this under-representation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15532/14]

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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126. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to promote the employment of persons with Down's syndrome and increase the number of persons with Down's syndrome in the labour market; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15533/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.

The Department provides a range of income and employment supports for people with disabilities - including those people with Down syndrome. In particular, the Department funds the nationwide EmployAbility service which provides the services of a job-coach for any person with a disability who wishes to avail of employment opportunities in the open labour market. Contact details for the local services are available on the Department's website. In addition, the Department also provides other employment supports, including the wage subsidy scheme and the workplace adaptation grant.