Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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131. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the process undertaken by the National Disability Authority for the provision of the employer helpline service, as recommended by the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities; when this helpline service will be operational; the organisation that will be responsible for its provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39901/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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I understand that the National Disability Authority (NDA) engaged with the employer umbrella groups, Chambers Ireland, IBEC and ISME and invited them to prepare a joint proposal in relation to the provision of an Employer Helpline, as recommended in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities which I published in October this year.

The specification for the project was developed by the NDA. The project will cover an employment support service incorporating an employer helpline, provision of advice and information around employment of people with disabilities, organising events, networking on disability, and using their mainstream channels to promote this work.

I understand that the employer organisations have agreed to work together and jointly oversee this service, which one of the employer bodies has agreed to host and oversee day to day delivery of the agreed service. There will be a memorandum of understanding signed by the consortium members and the contract will be signed with the agreed host body. I am sure the Deputy can appreciate that it is not possible for me to name the organisation at the moment until the contract has been signed but I will be happy to do so when the NDA have confirmed that a contract has been put in place.

The proposal received on behalf of the employer bodies is being reviewed by the NDA, with input from Enterprise Ireland, and subject to agreeing any amendments required, will form the basis for a contract to be signed very shortly. It is hoped to undertake preparatory work on setting up the service before the end of the year, and that the service would go live at the start of the new year.