Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 7

Written Answers. - Training of Mentally Handicapped.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

186 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Health the current position with regard to European Social Fund assistance for the training for employment of people who carry a mental handicap; when the current phase of programme funding will end; the plans he has to improve the training programme so as to secure better job opportunities for the trainees; the proposals he has for the continuation of similar programmes after the conclusion of European Social Fund support; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

At present there are almost 2,600 people with a mental handicap included in the European Social Fund assisted operational programme for the vocational training of people with disabilities. The programme which provides assistance of almost £25 million per annum at current prices for 4,500 trainees runs until the end of 1993.

It is expected that the assistance available under the current programme will continue, and indeed possibly increase under the post 1993 Structural Funds for Ireland.

With regard to the improvement of training programmes and job opportunities for people with disabilities, my Department, in conjunction with the National Rehabilitation Board, have taken a number of initiatives in this regard recently. These include the development of accreditation and certification standards, the establishment of a national advisory committee on the training and employment of people with disabilities representative of the training agencies, the relevant Government Departments and the social partners, and the introduction of an employment subsidy scheme.