As part of Government policy on mainstreaming all FÁS Services are open to people with disabilities. In this regard the services and programmes in place may be summarised as follows:
Main Services provided by FÁS:
FÁS operates training and employment programmes; provides a recruitment service to jobseekers and employers; an advisory service for industry; and supports community based enterprises. Services for people with disabilities are mainstreamed within this context. Programmes for people with disabilities are ‘demand–led' in that take up of same is voluntary, and there is no element of penalty involved for those who do not wish to engage, for whatever reason.
People with disabilities may call into a FÁS Employment Services Office or Local Employment Service Office to meet with an Employment Services Officer or Mediator who will provide them with full information, advice and guidance in relation to training and employment. People with disabilities, who meet the entry criteria, are able to participate in the full range of FÁS programmes and services, including mainline training provision. For example, there are currently 5,942 participants, or 28 % of total participants, with disabilities on Community Employment. FÁS also provides a range of positive action measures to assist the entry into employment of people with disabilities. These include:
Specialist Training Providers
FÁS contracts with 20 specialist training providers, such as the National Learning Network, in 55 centres to deliver vocational training to people with disabilities who require more intensive support than would be available in the mainline options. This training is provided exclusively to people with disabilities within a segregated setting. A budget of €54.95m is being provided to specialist training provision in 2008.
Supported Employment Programme
The Supported Employment Programme is an open labour market initiative providing people with disabilities, who are ‘job-ready', with supports to help them access the open labour market. It is implemented by sponsor organisations, on behalf of FÁS, which employ Job Coaches to provide a range of supports tailored to the individual needs of a jobseeker. A review of the programme has recently been carried out and a FÁS Action Plan on foot of reforms recommended in the review is nearing completion. A budget of €8.8m is being provided to the programme in 2008.
Wage Subsidy Scheme
The Wage Subsidy Scheme provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ people with disabilities who work more than 20 hours per week. The scheme provides payment of a wage subsidy to the employer to compensate for the reduced productivity of the disabled worker. The scheme is designed to provide incentive to employers to look more closely at the potential of people with disabilities to meet their labour force requirements. A review of this scheme has also been carried out and a response to the review recommendations is currently under consideration. For 2008, a budget of €10.5m is being provided to the scheme.
Employee Retention Grant Scheme
The Employee Retention Grant Scheme is available to private sector employers when an employee acquires a disability whether occupational or not. It provides funding to identify accommodation or training to enable the employee to remain in their current position, or to re-train them to take up another position within the organisation.
Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant
The Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant is available to employers in the private sector who need to adapt equipment or the workplace to accommodate people with disabilities. The maximum grant provided is €6,350 and covers minor building modifications such as ramps or accessible toilets; assistive technology; amplifiers for telephones, etc.
Job Interview/Induction Interpreter Grant
The Job Interview/Induction Interpreter Grant is available to cover the costs of an interpreter up to a maximum of €106.68 for a three-hour period for interview and induction purposes, where an interviewee or new staff member is deaf, hard of hearing, or has a speech impediment.
Personal Reader Grant
The Personal Reader Grant is available for the blind or visually impaired who require assistance with job-related reading, this is a grant to permit the employment of a personal reader. FÁS will pay a fee per hour for this service, in line with the national minimum wage for a maximum of 640 hours per annum.
Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme
The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme assists the integration of people with disabilities into the workplace and helps to eliminate mistaken perceptions about them. It is available to all companies in the private sector who are interested in employing, retaining or relating to people with disabilities. Funding of up to 90% of training costs is available in the first year, and up to 80% of costs in subsequent years, with an annual limit of €20,000 payable to an organisation. To avail of this funding training must be carried out by a FÁS approved training organisation or trainer.
The combined budget in 2008 for the Employee Retention Grant Scheme, Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, Job Interview Interpreter Grant, Personal Reader Grant and Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme amounts to €2.1 million. This gives a total budget of € 76.350 million for disability-specific programmes.
FÁS schemes and programmes are monitored and kept under regular review as part of overall employment and training policy for people with disabilities under the Sectoral Plan of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.