John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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796. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if funding and supports will be allocated to organisations such as a charity (details supplied), which is the largest employer of deaf people in Ireland, employing 40 staff, 29 of whom are deaf or disabled, and which currently has a waiting list of applicants seeking meaningful employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49160/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides a range of supports for organisations and employers to assist them in providing meaningful employment for disabled people.

The organisation referenced is currently availing of my Department’s Wage Subsidy Scheme. In the past, the organisation has also been funded through Dormant Accounts Funding provided by my Department.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy. It supports the employer to cover the costs of significantly adapting the job’s tasks or role. Employers are currently paid a base rate of €6.30 per hour, with a higher payment for employers with larger numbers of disabled staff under the scheme.

The Wage Subsidy Scheme recently underwent a review to make the scheme more accessible and flexible for both disabled people and their employers. The minimum hours were reduced from 21 to 15 and it was expanded to the community and voluntary sector, allowing more organisations to access to this beneficial scheme. In June this year, we launched the reformed scheme. A media campaign to raise awareness of the scheme followed the launch. An additional €3.7 million has been allocated.

The organisation in question currently has 28 employees supported through the Wage Subsidy Scheme. This means they are in Strand 3 of the scheme and avail of the highest hourly rate of €9.45 per person per hour. In 2024, the organisation received over €353,000 under this the scheme.

An employer who is in receipt of a wage subsidy under the scheme in respect of 25 or more active disabled employees is eligible for a grant as a contribution towards the employment and expenses of an Employment Assistance Officer. The grant available is €30,000 per year per Employment Assistance Officer. Deaf Enterprises currently avails of this support and has one Employment Assistance Officer employed.

JobsPlus is an active labour market scheme designed to provide eligible long term unemployed and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in employment. It is designed to encourage employers and businesses to focus their recruitment efforts on those who have been out of work for long periods, including disabled people. It provides a direct monthly financial incentive to employers over 18 months, with two levels of grant payable - €7,500 or €10,000 provided that the employment is maintained. The level of payment depends on the person's age and the length of time they have been on a disability payment.

Last year, my Department launched the new Work and Access Scheme. This scheme offers seven supports to improve access in the workplace for disabled people. Organisations and employers can apply for supports for adapting the workplace and for disability equality and inclusion training, to gain a better awareness and understanding of disabilities in the workplace. Work and Access is available to all non-public sector employers including charities and voluntary organisations.