Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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692. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the entitlements of persons qualifying for the long-term illness scheme; her plans to make provision for persons within this category who do not receive a social welfare payment in their own right to be included in vocational training opportunities and employment schemes; if persons qualifying under the long-term illness scheme can be deemed eligible for workplace programmes and training courses even if they do not receive a social welfare payment; her further plans to review this scheme with the objective of making other supports available for persons within this category; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53555/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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This Government recognises the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability and is committed to removing any barriers that remain which prevent those persons with disabilities from participating in activation programmes and employment.

The long term illness (LTI) scheme is a Health Service Executive (HSE) scheme that allows people with certain conditions to obtain the drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge. In determining eligibility, no means test is involved.

For those who cannot earn a living because of sickness and/or disability, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) provides a range of income support payments. These schemes also provide access to supports that encourage and assist people on long-term illness and disability payments to identify and take up available employment, training, educational and other self-development opportunities, where this is appropriate to their circumstances and wishes.

People with disabilities who are not in receipt of an income support payment can voluntarily avail of the Department’s Intreo service, where they can obtain advice on job-search activities and the use of online job search tools. In addition, those who are not in receipt of qualifying payments may be eligible to avail of up-skilling opportunities, for example, through Education and Training Boards’ (ETBs) training courses. Moreover, Springboard and Skillnets courses for unemployed people, funded through the Department of Education and Skills, are also open to people regardless of their social welfare status. I understand that Solas also funds customised training for people with disabilities provided by a range of specialist training providers.

In addition to these options, the Department provides a range of supports to assist people with disabilities to get a job. These include a job coaching service provided through EmployAbility, employment subsidies through the Wage Subsidy Scheme, workplace adaptation grants and specialist training courses that are specially designed for people with disabilities through the Reasonable Accommodation Fund. People with disabilities do not need to be in receipt of a DEASP income support payment to avail of these supports but do require supporting evidence from a medical practitioner to determine eligibility.

In summary, the Government is committed to supporting as many people as possible to participate more fully in employment and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers they may encounter in finding and sustaining employment.