Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2011
65 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to change the way in which disabled persons receive support in securing jobs and work experience, in view of the fact that JobBridge appears to be more accepted by employers than the disability-specific work support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31681/11]
View answerThe aim of JobBridge is to assist unemployed individuals to bridge the gap between unemployment and the world of work. JobBridge aims to offer individuals of all skill levels, ranging from those who left school early to highly qualified graduates, a unique opportunity to develop new skills and earn valuable experience. JobBridge can offer a diverse range of jobseekers a chance that will at the very least improve their prospects of securing employment in the future. In order to be eligible to participate in JobBridge, an individual must currently be in receipt of a Jobseeker's Allowance/Jobseeker's Benefit or signing for credits on the Live Register, and have been so for a total of three months or more in the last six months.
There is a range of supports available designed specifically to support the employment of people with disabilities. The Wage Subsidy Scheme is just one of these and provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ people with disabilities who work more than 20 hours per week. There are three strands to the scheme:
Strand 1 is a general subsidy for any perceived productivity shortfall in excess of 20% for a disabled employee in comparison to a non disabled peer. The rate of subsidy is €5.30 per hour giving a maximum subsidy, per employee, of €10,748 per annum based on a 39-hour week.
Strand 2 is based on the total number of disabled employees in a company to cover additional costs. It ranges from 10% of the wage subsidy for 3-6 employees to a maximum of 50% of the wage subsidy for 23+ disabled employees.
Strand 3 is where a company that employs 30 or more disabled people can avail of a grant of €30,000 per annum to assist with the cost of employing an Employment Assistance Officer. It is paid for each cohort of 30 disabled people employed.
A range of other supports is also available to support the employment of people with disabilities. These include the Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme, the Reasonable Accommodation Fund for the Employment of Disabled People, the Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, the Employee Retention Grant Scheme and the Supported Employment Programme.
Persons with a disability may call into a FÁS Employment Service 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. Persons with a disability, who meet the entry criteria, are able to participate in the full range of FÁS programmes and services.
I should mention, finally, that the range of options available to people with disabilities will be augmented further by the introduction of a Partial Capacity Benefit scheme which will be formally launched before the end of this year. The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme will be open to people who are in receipt of Invalidity Pension or who have been in receipt of Illness Benefit for a minimum of six months. Participation in the scheme will be voluntary and the scheme is designed in particular to respond to the needs of people who currently seek to avail of ‘exemptions' in order to take up employment opportunities.
66 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if the stipulations of the JobBridge scheme are detailed in, or come under, legislation; and if so, the relevant Act. [31714/11]
View answerJobBridge is an administrative scheme and as such does not come under any specific legislation.
Section 16 of the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2011 provides for changes to previous social welfare legislation in relation to the internship scheme.
