Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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905.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider providing funding for a person-centred training service with the goal of creating pathways to employment for the deaf community (details supplied); if she will engage with colleagues across Government who have some responsibility in the area, including the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to give a considered response; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[33841/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a wide range of income and employment supports to assist jobseekers and employees with disabilities, and their employers.

In autumn 2023, I announced a call for applications for a new employment focused programme to support the employment of people with disabilities. The programme is co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the Department of Social Protection and is administered by Pobal. It was open to all national, regional and local organisations to apply who had experience of working with people with disabilities and who could provide progressive pathways into education, training and employment (including self-employment) for participants based on their needs, their abilities and their potential. The programme also aims to build the capacity of employers to recruit, retain and progress people with disabilities within their workforce.

Funding of up to €200,000 per year is available to 56 local and community organisations nationwide who applied for and were approved to participate in the programme. Cork Deaf Enterprises applied through Pobal to participate in this programme but did not reach the minimum threshold required to be recommended for funding.

Another support which I provide is the Wage Subsidy Scheme. The Wage Subsidy Scheme is a subsidy for private sector employers to encourage the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market. Cork Deaf Enterprises is currently funded under the Wage Subsidy Scheme for 26 employees and is in receipt of the higher Strand subsidies. Should they wish to employ additional persons with disabilities under this scheme, they should contact their local DSP Intreo Centre or their local Workplace Supports officer - see www.gov.ie/en/publication/8ae08d-workplace-supports-contact-list/

My Department does not fund individual services undertaken by organisations.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.