The objective of the wage subsidy scheme (WSS) is to increase the likelihood of people with disabilities obtaining and sustaining employment in the open labour market by providing financial incentives to private sector employers.
The scheme operates by allowing private sector employers to claim a wage subsidy payment, funded by the Department, where a productivity shortfall arises from a disability. The employment being offered must be of a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 hours per week.
A significant reduction in the hours worked condition for the WSS or to link the scheme with specific types of disability would not be consistent with the aim of supporting open market employment. Consequently there are no plans to change the hours worked condition at this time.
I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.