Disability Support Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Questions (727)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

727. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Social Protection the level of funding allocated to the reasonable accommodation fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32079/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

My Department provides a range of grants under the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme to assist employers in the private sector to take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability/impairment to have access to employment. The Reasonable Accommodation Fund helps employers take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability to have access to employment by providing the following grants and schemes: the Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant, the Personal Reader Grant, the Job Interview Interpreter Grant and the Employee Retention Grant. The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme assists the integration of disabled people into the workplace and helps to eliminate mistaken perceptions about them.

Expenditure in 2017 on the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme is estimated at €400,000.