Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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256. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on proposals in correspondence (details supplied). [52834/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy 2015 – 2024 is a ten-year cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities.

The primary purpose of the Strategy is to ensure that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment. The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:

1. Build skills, capacity and independence;

2. Provide bridges and supports into work;

3. Make work pay (the Make Work Pay Report was launched in April 2016 and many of its recommendations are already being implemented);

4. Promote job retention and re-entry to work;

5. Provide coordinated and seamless support; and

6. Engage employers.

The Strategy includes a range of practical measures to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including those who wish to be self employed. For example, action 2.10 of the Strategy includes a number of measures to assist people with disabilities to become self employed, this includes supporting and promoting self-employment as a viable option for people with disabilities, including equal access to mainstream supports and schemes. These supports are provided through the Local Employment Office network which come under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

Implementation of the Strategy is monitored by a working group under the direction of an independent chairperson (Mr Fergus Finlay). This group is tasked with monitoring the progress of the six strategic priorities of the strategy, and with the assistance of representatives and stakeholders from the disability sector, ensures that each Government Department is fulfilling its obligations and meeting its targets.

In his first Report, the independent chairperson noted that progress had been made on the implementation of a strategic priority 2: “Provide bridges and supports into work” which includes action 2.10. In addition, I can also advise that my officials, in cooperation with the National Disability Authority, and in consultation with the Strategy implementation group is in the process of developing a second three year action plan under the Strategy to ensure that the progress of implementation continues.

Taking the above into account, the Strategy ensures that there is a coordinated, cross-government approach to support persons with disabilities to progress into employment, and also that the appropriate supports and assistance are in place for those who wish to be self-employed.