Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 November 2014
156. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the supported employment initiative. [41002/14]
View answerThe initiative to which the Deputy refers is the EmployAbility service - an employment service dedicated to improving employment outcomes for job seekers with a disability. The service was originally established in 2000 under the aegis of An Foras Áiseanna Saothair (FAS) and was formerly known as the Supported Employment Programme. Responsibility for the programme transferred to the Department of Social Protection in 2012. The service is currently delivered by 23 limited companies, each with a specific geographical remit, thereby providing national coverage. The programme is fully funded by the Department and the estimated expenditure for the service in 2014 is €9.24 million.
The service is based on the ethos that participation in employment can be achieved by people with a disability when they are able to avail of individualised supports that are based on their choices and preferences. The supports currently provided by the service include profiling the individual needs of ‘job-ready’ people with disabilities, (which is defined as being able to work at least 8 hours per week and being motivated to do so), identifying the needs of employers, matching jobseekers with suitable employment opportunities, and the provision of on-the-job supports to both employee and employer where that is required.
