John McGuinness
Question:567 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if payment to people with disabilities who are trainees in sheltered workshops is linked to the minimum wage and the national agreement pay increases. [1369/02]
Written Answers. - Sheltered Work Services.
Payments to people with disabilities in sheltered work services are not linked to the minimum wage and national agreement increases. People with disabilities attending sheltered work services currently retain their primary and secondary state disability benefits. Many service users also receive an additional weekly payment from service providers. If persons availing of these services were to receive the minimum wage they would lose their entitlement to state disability benefits.
A working group established by my Department in August 2000 to draw up a code of practice for sheltered work is currently in the final stages of its assignment. The working group has been asked to address specifically the issues of the status and remuneration of people with disabilities in sheltered work services. These issues will be considered in depth when the group makes its recommendations.