Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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399. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if local authorities have a job placement scheme for disabled people; and if not, if he has plans to introduce a job placement scheme in local authorities for disabled people. [53014/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The local government sector is committed to equality of opportunity for all in terms of its recruitment and employment practices. Under Section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, each Chief Executive is responsible for the staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authority for which he/she is responsible.

In terms specifically of a job placement scheme, I am aware that the local government sector partnered with AHEAD in 2022/2023 on the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme to offer paid and mentored work placements for graduates with disabilities. The local government sector was recently recognised at the WAM Leaders Awards 2023, for participation in and support for the WAM programme, which aims to promote access to the labour market for graduates with disabilities.

Coordinated through the Local Government Management Agency, five local authorities participated in the pilot WAM graduate programme 2022/2023 which offered paid and mentored work placements for nine graduates with disabilities. The Local Government Management Agency is currently working with AHEAD for the WAM Programme 2023/2024. Any further details can be sought directly from the local government sector.