Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to outline if he is considering any revisions to the humanitarian assistance scheme at present, or the possible introduction of additional support measures for flood affected households, given the increasing regularity of severe weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21628/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme is to provide financial support to people whose homes are damaged and who are not able to meet costs for essential needs, household items and, in some instances, structural repair.

This includes emergency support payments, under Stage 1 of the scheme, to households in the immediate aftermath of severe weather events, for items such as essential food and clothing. These payments are not income tested and are based on the immediate need of the individuals impacted. Income tested support is available under Stage 2 for the replacement of white goods and basic furniture, and under Stage 3 to repair damage to homes.

While Storm Éowyn was unprecedented, we have to learn from it in order to make improvements to recovery plans in the future.

The Government Task Force on Emergency Planning have agreed to carry out a review of the response to Storm Éowyn led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with representatives from relevant Government Departments and Agencies. This Interdepartmental Group will identify recommendations regarding the response at the national and local levels, reducing severe weather impacts on critical infrastructure and essential services, assisting communities and individuals severely affected by emergencies, key policy issues and cross-cutting responsibilities.Officials from my department are represented on the Interdepartmental Group and will contribute toward the enhancement of a whole of Government response for future extreme weather events, while also considering any potential improvements to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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123. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of organisations that have availed of the workplace adaptation and equipment grant when employing a person with a disability, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21597/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant was one of four grants available under the Reasonable Accommodation Fund. The table sets out expenditure on that grant over the period 2020-2024.

My Department published a review of the Reasonable Accommodation Scheme and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme in August 2023. This review recommended merging the two schemes into a single, flexible scheme and to expand and improve the supports offered under the new scheme.In July 2024, my Department launched Work and Access to replace the two former schemes. It offers seven supports to help reduce and remove barriers in the workplace for people with a disability. Grants are available for a workplace needs assessment, work equipment and workplace adaptations. Work and Access is open to all non-public sector employers, including the self-employed and people working in the community and voluntary sector. Supports are available for both business premises and remote workplaces. My Department has allocated an additional €1 million a year to this scheme.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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124. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he has plans to increase the levels of hourly payment made under the wage subsidy scheme which helps enterprises employ those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21538/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Programme for Government, the Government has committed to review the minimum hours requirement under the Wage Subsidy Scheme and to examine an increase to the payment rate.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to hire people with disabilities through a subsidy. As part of Budget 2022, my Department increased the base subsidy rate from €5.30 to €6.30 per hour. This gives a total annual subsidy available of €12,776 based on a 39-hour week. The maximum subsidy rate was increased from €7.95 to €9.45 per hour, giving a total subsidy of €19,164.60 per employee per year.

In August 2024, my Department published a review of the scheme to make it more accessible and flexible. Some of the key recommendations of this review include that the minimum hours for the scheme be reduced from 21 to 15 hours and that the scheme be expanded to those on Partial Capacity Benefit. The scheme will also be expanded to the community and voluntary sector.

An additional €3.7 million was allocated to implement the review’s recommendations.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.