Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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328. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when funding will be made available to an organisation (details supplied); his views on the negative impact the uncertainty regarding funding is having on this organisation's ability to provide support to persons with disabilities to secure employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30611/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Government’s commitments to facilitating increased participation in employment for people with disabilities are reflected in the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) for People with Disabilities. In support of these commitments, the Department of Social Protection provides a wide range of work related supports for people with disabilities. These include the EmployAbility service, the Wage Subsidy Scheme, workplace adaptation grants and specialist training courses that are specially designed for people with disabilities. These supports are estimated to cost almost €44 million in 2016.

The Irish Association of Supported Employment is one of a range of community and voluntary groups that advocate policies and proposals that seek to support people with disabilities find and keep paid employment of their own choosing. While I acknowledge the valuable contribution that IASE is making in this area, the Department of Social Protection does not have a programme that provides core funding to national community and voluntary bodies.

Funding of this nature is provided by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government through the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO). This scheme provides multi-annual funding towards core costs of national community and voluntary organisations, with a focus on organisations that provide supports to those who are disadvantaged. A new round of funding was advertised earlier this year for the period 2016-2019. However, I understand that IASE did not make an application for financial support under this round of funding.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.