Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
1676. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the wage subsidy scheme can be offered to a person (details supplied); if there are other supports available to the employer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1940/18]
View answerThe wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is a targeted wage support designed to incentivise the employment of people with disabilities in the private sector. The objective of this programme is to encourage private sector employers to employ people with disabilities and so increase the numbers of people with disabilities participating in the open labour market. This is achieved by compensating employers through grant assistance where a person’s disability restricts their productivity to 80% or less when compared to their peers.
The participation of potential employees on the scheme is contingent on a person having a disability and who has the capacity to work from 21 hours to 39 hours per week. For those individuals who are already in employment, the WSS may only be considered where the individual is less than 12 months in that employment. When the employee is over 12 months in the job and where a productivity shortfall on their part is putting that particular employment in jeopardy, the employee retention grant scheme (ERGS) should be applied for.
The purpose of the ERGS is to assist employers to retain employees who acquire an illness, condition or impairment which impacts on their ability to carry out their job. The scheme is structured in two stages, comprising the development and implementation of a retention strategy. The total amount available under this grant scheme is €15,000 per applicant.
The ERGS is one of the grants provided by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection under the reasonable accommodation fund. This fund assists private sector employers to take appropriate measures to enable a person with a disability/impairment to have access to employment. The scheme’s other grants include:
- Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant
- Personal Reader Grant
- Job Interview Interpreter Grant
Further information on the range of employment supports for people with disabilities, including application forms, can be found on the Department’s website: https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Workplace-Supports_holder.aspx
If the Deputy can provide details directly to the Department on the individual referred to a more tailored response can be provided.
