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Disability Support Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2015

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Questions (164)

Tom Fleming

Question:

164. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who have acquired work in the EmployAbility service, under the employers' wage subsidy scheme, the workplace equipment-adaptation grant scheme, the employee retention grant scheme and the willing able mentoring programme; if an evaluation has been carried out on the success levels, and overall benefits, to the participants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9032/15]

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Written answers

In addition to basic income support, the Department provides a wide range work related supports for people with disabilities. These include the wage subsidy scheme, the EmployAbility (supported employment) programme and the employment support programme for people with disabilities. The Department also supports the willing able mentoring project.

The wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is an employment support to the private sector for the employment of people with disabilities. The purpose of this demand-led programme is to increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. In 2014 some 1,550 employees were being supported through this programme at a cost of €12.6 million.

The EmployAbility programme is a national employment service dedicated to improving employment outcomes for job seekers with a disability. EmployAbility participants are people with a disability who are able to work a minimum of 8 hours per week and who need the support of a job coach to obtain employment in the open labour market. People can be supported for up to 18 months. In December 2014, some 2,936 people were availing of the service. The cost of the service in 2014 was €8.5 million.

The employment support programme for people with disabilities provides various labour market supports for people with disabilities, assisting them with finding paid employment or preparing them for employment through a training or employment programme. The employment supports consist of a range of measures such as the disability awareness training support scheme and the reasonable accommodation fund, which includes the workplace equipment/adaptation grant, the personal reader grant, the job interview interpreter grant, and the employee retention grant. The employment support programme is a demand-led grant scheme, with an expenditure of €0.34 million in 2014.

The aim of the willing able mentoring (WAM) programme is to promote widening access to the mainstream Irish labour market for graduates with disabilities. The provide funding (€176.000) to support this programme which is delivered by the Association for Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). WAM operates as a mentored placement programme that supports 30 paid graduate entry full-time placements a year. AHEAD also works closely with employers to ensure that the experience is successful for all involved.

I am satisfied that the package of work-related supports available from the Department plays an important role in supporting participation by people with disabilities in the labour force. The challenge is now to build on these programmes for people with disabilities to enhance their potential to achieve greater independence through education, training and employment.

In this context, I would point out that an external review of the EmployAbility service is currently underway and this will assess the effectiveness of the service as it stands and present proposals for the future delivery of this important support.

Questions Nos. 165 and 166 withdrawn.

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