Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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50. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the activity levels on the employers’ helpline supporting the comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities; the number of calls handled and the costs incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29132/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The employer helpline and support initiative is a three year pilot programme which was established at the end of 2015 to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities. The aim of the programme is to provide advice and guidance to employers on employing people with disabilities, and to support staff with disabilities. It is hoped that the helpline will facilitate an increase in the number of persons with disabilities in employment. The programme is being delivered by a consortium comprising ISME, IBEC and the Chambers of Commerce.

The programme is still in its first year and accordingly, activities to date have included the setting up of a website and helpline, appointing a co-ordinator, and delivering a number of seminars and briefings for employer networks.

There were 50 calls and email queries during the period from February to September 2016.

The budget for the three years of the programme will be approximately €300,000. Expenditure for the programme to date is as follows:

2015: €31,584.50

2016 (to end Sept): €25,000.00

Further information can be found at the helpline's website which is www.employerdisabilityinfo.ie.