Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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169. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which his Department supports persons with disabilities to access the mainstream job market. [31868/21]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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As a member of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities Implementation Group, my Department has committed to highlight the supports that are available to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market, or to retain in the workforce employees who acquire a disability.

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) offers a number of workplace supports schemes for people with disabilities and their employers or prospective employers.

The EmployAbility Service is an employment and recruitment service that helps people who have a disability, an injury or and an illness to get and keep a job. This service works through sponsor organisations in local communities on behalf of DSP and it is free of charge. It provides ongoing support for both the employer and employee throughout employment. The EmployAbility Service’s supports for employers include, free recruitment and employment service, access to a dedicated workforce, a database of skilled jobseekers, ongoing professional support and advice on grants and supports.

Further information may be viewed through www.gov.ie at www.gov.ie/en/service/8578c4-access-the-employability-service/.

The new Economic Recovery Plan commits to supporting employers in the recruitment and retention of people with disabilities and developing initiatives to improve employment opportunities for those with disabilities in rural areas including through remote working options. Under Pathways to Work 2021- 2025, an Early Engagement model for jobseekers with disabilities will be introduced, and wider take-up of incentives and supports available for the employment of people with disabilities will be promoted.