Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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255. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if progress has been made on the implementation of the recommendations of the Make Work Pay for People with Disabilities report; the cost associated with its full implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31871/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Make Work Pay interdepartmental group, published on 6 April this year, established under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities considered a range of approaches across relevant Departments to deliver on this commitment and made 24 recommendations under the broad headings of; reconfiguring the system of supports to ensure that work pays; promoting early intervention; communicating effectively that work pays and future proofing.

My Department , has already implemented a number of the report’s recommendations including:

- people with a long-term disability payment who move off the payment to get a job will retain their Free Travel Pass for a period of five years (the report recommended retention for 3 years);

- a fast –track return to Disability Allowance, or Invalidity Pension for people where employment does not work out;

- and development is underway on a new “Ready Reckoner”, to calculate the net benefits and financial implications of working.

Other actions, such as strengthening the capacity of my Department’s Intreo Service to support people with disabilities to get and maintain employment are ongoing and people with disabilities may, on a voluntary basis, make an appointment with a case officer to explore their options and develop a personal progression plan.

While the Government has decided to implement some of the recommendations others require further reflection or a period of consultation with disability groups and other stakeholders. My Department has already started this process of consultation with the disability sector on the recommendations related to extending the principle of “early intervention” to disability allowance and other disability payments.

Many of the recommended actions being progressed by Government Departments are at a consultative stage and Departments are not in a position to provide costings until specific proposals are in place.

I hope this answers the Deputy’s question.