Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2006
221 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the specific vocational training programmes run by FÁS or through specialist training providers for people with an acquired brain injury; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38220/06]
View answer222 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the vocational training opportunities available for people with an acquired brain injury where existing FÁS or specialist training providers cannot support the unique needs of people with an acquired brain injury. [38221/06]
View answer223 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way FÁS intends to support people with an acquired brain injury to participate in their vocational training programmes. [38222/06]
View answer224 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way FÁS supports people with an acquired brain injury to participate in their vocational training programmes; and the additional supports they intend to put in place to allow participation by people with acquired brain injury. [38223/06]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 221 to 224, inclusive, together.
The Department is fully committed to addressing the needs of those with disabilities, and furthering the policy of mainstreaming services to help them play a full and active part in Irish society. The Sectoral Plan of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment under the Disability Act 2005, outlines the Department's key initiatives in promoting equal opportunities for disabled people in the labour market, which includes the development of a Comprehensive Employment Strategy for disabled people.
The key pillars of this strategy are:
enhancing the effectiveness of employment and vocational training programmes for disabled people
further developing financial and other supports to potential employers and disabled employees, and
further developing measures to promote the continued employment of workers who acquire a disability while in employment.
In line with current mainstreaming policy, disabled people are encouraged by FÁS to apply for training and the appropriate supports are put in place to meet their particular individual needs. If the disabled person cannot meet the requirements of mainline vocational training, with supports, then the individual is referred to Specialist Training Provision contracted by FÁS. The Specialist Training Provider will then carry out a functional assessment to determine whether the person would be able to undertake vocational training, or would require rehabilitative training under the Department of Health and Children.
The current extra supports that would be available in FÁS Specialist Training Provision for a person with an acquired brain injury would include psychologists, remedial teachers, social skills instructors, job coaches and an individual holistic assessment of needs. I would like to commend the work of the groups working in this area, many of whom I have met personally, including the Irish Association of Supported Employment, Brí and Headway. Indeed, I understand that FÁS are currently considering a proposal from Headway for a pilot scheme in this area.
I wish to declare that I have a personal interest in this issue through having a family member who has an acquired brain injury, and who may benefit from vocational training and/or employment provision.
