Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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75. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question 125 of 17 December 2020, if Enterprise Ireland’s draft Disability Inclusion Strategy – Supporting Entrepreneurship has been approved by the Enterprise Ireland senior management team; the way this strategy document specifically supports entrepreneurship and self-employment for persons with a disability as outlined in action 116 of the mid-term review of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30071/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Enterprise Ireland has worked closely with the National Disability Authority on the issue of disability and is committed to providing inclusive services and promoting awareness of entrepreneurship to people with disabilities. The Senior Management Team in Enterprise Ireland has reviewed a draft version of the Disability Inclusion Strategy and is finalising year one actions. While the Strategy has not yet been approved, Enterprise Ireland has commenced work in this important area.

In line with National Disability Authority and best practice advice, Enterprise Ireland has taken an approach of delivering inclusive rather than separate disability services. Work is ongoing and includes a partnership with IDA Ireland in relation to seminars held to promote ability within the neurodiverse community. On the 2^ndDecember 2020 an event promoting ability within the neurodiverse community took place which was developed in conjunction with Specialisterne Ireland and “AsIAm “ (Irelands Autism Charity). The event highlighted promoting the ability and talent of those with neurodiverse conditions to help address the high levels of unemployment experienced within this community.

Enterprise Ireland, in partnership with the National Disability Authority also ran a recent event, “The Universal Design” webinar which took place on the 25^thMarch 2021 focussed on how Inclusive and Universal Design principals provide opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship for people with disabilities.