Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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315. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider proposals to secure sustainable long-term funding for the important PEER WALK programme for young persons with disabilities based on the strong work they have done in the past and the opportunities they provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23047/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I understand that the PEER (Providing Equal Employment Routes) project was one of 14 employment activation projects for people with disabilities which were jointly funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Department of Social Protection from 2012 to 2015. The project was delivered by WALK, the Walkinstown Association for People with an Intellectual Disability.

In relation to the suggestion of continuation of funding from the Department of Health, it is important to note that employment activation for all citizens, including those with a disability, is the responsibility of the Department of Social Protection.

The HSE provides Day Services for persons with disabilities to facilitate a range of skills and activities such as independent living skills, personal development, education classes, social and recreational activities, and health-related and therapy supports. Day activation is essentially a programme that does not include paid employment in the open labour market.