Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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374. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider introducing measures to improve access to employment opportunities for disabled persons, including programmes like the ability programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45702/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Ability Programme, introduced in June 2018, was a three-year pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities, managed by my Department. The funding for the programme amounted to around €16 million and was provided jointly under the European Union’s ESF 2014-2020 Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme and the Irish Exchequer. The Ability Programme concluded at the end of August 2021 and, in line with commitments under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy, the Final Evaluation of the Programme was published.

It was agreed that a new employment programme for people with disabilities would be included in the new Operational Programme for Ireland under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027. This new disability focused employment measure will build on the learnings of the former Ability Programme. It is anticipated that the new disability programme will be open by way of a competitive process in 2023 to applications from organisations across the country including the 27 former Ability Programme organisations.

I can assure the Deputy that my commitment in relation to improving the employment opportunities for people with disabilities has not been found wanting to date. The Deputy will understand that any further additions or changes to payments or employment supports offered by my department are subject to the overall budgetary and policy context and will be considered in that context over the coming weeks.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.