Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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345. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will take immediate steps to amend the regulations and rules pertaining to eligibility for participation in the Tús and Gateway schemes, to permit persons with disabilities to take up positions on these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4696/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Tús and Gateway are work placement initiatives which aim to provide work opportunities for those who are long-term unemployed and on the live register for a specific period. The eligibility criteria are in line with the Government’s policies to focus resources on maintaining the work readiness and employability of jobseekers on the live register. In order to maintain this focus, persons in receipt of disability/illness-related payments and certain other payments from the Department are not eligible for selection for Tús or Gateway. However, they are eligible for a range of other activation initiatives which include the rural social scheme, community employment, back to work and back to education allowances, as well as other education and training supports.

Additionally, a range of supports designed specifically to support people with disabilities and employers (to offer and maintain job opportunities for people with disabilities) are funded and delivered by my Department. These include a wage subsidy scheme and resources to offset the costs of providing reasonable accommodation for the employment of a person with disability or restricted mobility. People with disabilities who wish to engage in employment may contact their local Intreo Office to arrange an appointment with a case officer who will assist them.

Persons in receipt of illness payments also have the option of claiming jobseeker's allowance instead if they wish to be considered for schemes such as Tús and Gateway, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.