Vol. 485 No. 3
194 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will outline his Department's policy on the creation of sheltered employment opportunities for people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23221/97]
This year approximately 200 new sheltered employment places were put in place. During 1997 the National Rehabilitation Board began a process of developing minimum standards for all forms of sheltered work. This process will continue during 1998.
The report on sheltered and supported work and employment by the National Advisory Committee on Training and Employment Steering Group, an advisory group to the NRB, is expected to be published very shortly. Its recommendations will impact on the direction of standards and funding for sheltered work.
Discussions between the Departments of Health and Children and Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the transfer of responsibility for certain aspects of training and employment for people with disabilities are advancing in parallel with the work of the recently formed National Disability Authority Establishment Group.
