Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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219. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which her Department, through Intreo, works to ensure that persons suffering from a mental or physical illness are treated sympathetically and encouraged to obtain appropriate assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43847/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a range of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability.  Entitlement to these supports is not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability itself but on the extent to which a person’s capacity to work is restricted by illness or disability.

If a particular scheme is more appropriate to the individual's circumstances, they will be supported in making an application for that scheme. Staff in Intreo Centres provide assistance in this process.

Intreo Centres provide support for people including people with a disability or illness in reaching their employment ambitions and, in this regard, training has been delivered to over 60 Case Officers who can provide specialised support to people with disabilities.  In addition some 390 Intreo staff members have

attended Disability Awareness training courses

The nationwide EmployAbility service, delivered under contract on behalf of my Department, is a specialist service designed to support persons with a disability in seeking and finding employment. 

I trust this clarifies the matter.