John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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94. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of the fit for work programme referenced in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36064/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The programme for a partnership government provides for a range of actions that are designed to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. One of these actions is a commitment to develop a programme to support more people to get back to work if they have an illness or disability.

The commitment envisaged that the programme is being led by the Departments of Health and Social Protection, working together and with other stakeholders. These Departments have identified “Healthy You: Early Intervention” as the working title of the programme to reflect widespread evidence that early intervention in a person’s illness or health condition through a range of services and supports can lead to positive health, employment and income results overall. Clearly, there will be cases where a return to work is neither desirable nor appropriate, but for other cases, the intention will be to ensure that both the healthcare and the income support systems, together with appropriate care supports from employers and others, increase the chances of a successful recovery.

As an initial step towards the development of this programme, a stakeholder forum is being organised to obtain a range of views about the scope of the programme as well as identifying issues around its design and operation. Subsequently, the feedback derived from this session will assist the work of the interdepartmental group set up to progress this proposal.

I would like to reassure the Deputy that any such proposals will be in line with the wealth of evidence which shows that generally employment is good for one’s mental and physical health and wellbeing and, conversely, that unemployment can be damaging.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.