Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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1254. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the funding being provided to organisations (details supplied) under the Ability programme. [25382/18]

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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1260. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applicants for funding under the Ability programme. [25464/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1254 and 1260 together.

Ability 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 is being managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department, and it will be delivered by national, regional or local organisations from around the country that have experience of working with people with a disability.

Along with my colleague, Minister McGrath, I was happy to announce the Ability programme funding on 1 June. The programme seeks to support young people with disabilities, who are able to, and want to work, to navigate their individual transition period into employment and I welcome the roll out of the services to be provided by the various organisations over the next three years.

Ability will be funded under the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) operational programme, 2014-2020 (PEIL, 2014 – 20) and the Irish Exchequer. There has been a significant level of interest in the Ability programme, with 59 applications received. Initially it was expected that funding for the programme would amount to some €10 million over a three year period. However, given the quality of the proposals received, enhanced funding has been put in place of around €16 million to support all 27 projects based on the funding level recommended by Pobal. Non-project spending costs associated with management and evaluation of the programme will also arise.

I understand that Pobal have been in contact with the relevant organisations in order to make administrative arrangements. The information on funding amounts by organisation, as requested by the Deputy, is presented in tabular form.

I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.