Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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567. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the importance of a proposed development (details supplied) in County Sligo; when a decision on the Pobal application for the ability programme will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11104/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Ability programme is a new pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities (aged 15 – 29) designed to assist participants in their transition from school to further education and employment. This will be undertaken using person-centred, case management approaches that support participants to identify and follow progression pathways based on both their needs and their potential. The programme will be delivered by national, regional or local organisations from around the country that have experience of working with people with a disability.

The funding for this programme will amount to some €10 million over a three year period and is being provided under the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) operational programme, 2014-2020 (PEIL, 2014 – 20) and the Irish Exchequer.

The programme is being managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department. Pobal’s call for applications for funding closed at the end of January. There has been a significant level of interest in the Ability programme, with 59 applications received.

Pobal has confirmed that it has received an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. All applications are currently being appraised against the selection criteria for the programme as published on Pobal’s website:.

Following consultations with the Department, Pobal will notify the successful applicants by May 2018.