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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 May 1998

Vol. 490 No. 5

Written Answers. - Employment Support Scheme.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

183 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the employment support scheme for people with disabilities has not operated for over one year with the result that many disabled people have lost their jobs in open employment. [10571/98]

This year £1.189 million has been allocated to the employment support scheme. The scheme continues to operate. I am advised that 388 persons with a disability are currently employed with the assistance of the ESS. My Department is examining ways to expand the scheme and provide additional funding to employers who wish to avail of the scheme. As the Deputy will be aware the Government decided in November 1997 to form an establishment group, tasked with the preparation of detailed proposals for, inter alia, the establishment of a national disability authority. As part of its remit the establishment group, which is chaired by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is addressing the transfer of certain responsibilities in relation to the training and employment of people with disabilities, including the ESS from the Department of Health and Children to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The current arrangement whereby the Department of Health and Children has responsibility for matters relating to vocational training and employment of people with disabilities is outdated and reflects the old medical model rather than the currently accepted economic and social rights model.

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