Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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147. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the key measures under the new comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35284/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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The Strategy, which was launched on Friday 2 October, sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. People with disabilities are only half as likely to be in employment as others of working age. The reasons for this are complex, and include level of education and skills, fears around loss of benefits, employer know-how, low expectations, and limited re-entry to work following onset of a disability, as well as a higher incidence of ill-health.

The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.

The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:

- Build skills, capacity and independence

- Provide bridges and supports into work

- Make work pay

- Promote job retention and re-entry to work

- Provide coordinated and seamless support

- Engage employers

Implementing the Strategy will require continuing interdepartmental cooperation and a joined-up approach to supports and services for jobseekers and workers with disabilities. The implementation of the Strategy will be subject to regular monitoring, and there will be a review and renewal every three years.

Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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148. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on concerns that the new comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities is arriving four years too late for this Government to deliver on the strong commitments made by An Taoiseach and Ministers at the strategy's launch; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35285/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities had been due to be published in 2014. Following concerns expressed by the disability stakeholders with whom we consult, I asked that further work be undertaken to ensure that it contained real actions and credible targets. Following this further work by the National Disability Authority and my Department, we have a Strategy that has the potential to make a real difference to the quality of life of people with disabilities. I am very pleased to inform the Deputy that this Strategy was launched on Friday, 2 October 2015.

The Strategy sets out a ten-year approach to ensuring that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. People with disabilities are only half as likely to be in employment as others of working age. The reasons for this are complex, and include level of education and skills, fears around loss of benefits, employer know-how, low expectations, and limited re-entry to work following onset of a disability, as well as a higher incidence of ill-health.

The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities is a cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment.

The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:

- Build skills, capacity and independence

- Provide bridges and supports into work

- Make work pay

- Promote job retention and re-entry to work

- Provide coordinated and seamless support

- Engage employers

Implementing the Strategy will require continuing interdepartmental cooperation and a joined-up approach to supports and services for jobseekers and workers with disabilities. The implementation of the Strategy will be subject to regular monitoring, and there will be a review and renewal every three years.