Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
365. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection when the 27 Ability Programmes nationwide will be informed of their funding allocations for 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52108/23]
View answerThe Ability Programme, introduced in June 2018, was a three-year pre-activation programme for young people with disabilities. The programme was jointly funded 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.
In July 2021, I announced the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2021 - Measure to Support the Employment of People with Disabilities - a new employment support measure for people with disabilities. This programme began in September that year and runs up to the end of 2023. In total, 45 projects have been funded up to an amount of €7.6 million. The 27 organisations referred to by the Deputy who received funding under the former Ability Programme were successful in securing funding under this measure.
On 10th August I announced a call for applications for a new employment focused programme for people with disabilities. The programme, called “WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme”, will run from 2024 to 2028 and has an overall budget of up to €36.29million.
The aim of the WorkAbility programme is to bring people with disabilities people aged 16 years and over who are not work-ready closer to the labour market. The programme will promote employment prospects for people with disabilities who are in the labour market or who are distant from the labour market and will provide progressive pathways into employment (including self-employment) through education, training, skills development, and in-work supports for participants.
Pobal will manage the process on behalf of the Department, including payment, contract management, performance monitoring, and beneficiary support and auditing.
Pobal undertook the appraisal of all applications and have made recommendations to DSP. My officials are currently in the process of reviewing these recommendations. When that process is complete, successful organisations will be notified of the outcome.
I hope that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
