Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
158. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made in the implementation of measures to support employment opportunities for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34934/22]
View answerThe development of services and policies to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities operates through a cross government framework with other departments, agencies and, importantly, disability sector representatives, under a number of key national strategies and action plans. The two main national strategies in this area are the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (D/CEDIY) is the lead Department with regards to both of these strategies.
There are a number of other strategies that provide a framework for cross-departmental working and the development of services for people with disabilities. These include the Roadmap for Social Inclusion and Pathways to Work. My department continues to deliver on its commitments under these strategies; for example in 2022 there has been progress as follows:
- A €25 increase to the upper weekly earnings disregards for both the Disability Allowance and the Blind Pension, from €350 to €375 per week.
- An increase to the Wage Subsidy Scheme which is now equivalent to 60% of the National Minimum Wage. This is a financial incentive to encourage private sector employers to employ jobseekers with disabilities. A review of the scheme will take place this year.
- A review of the departments Reasonable Accommodation Fund Grants. The public consultation phase of this review has been completed and officials are reviewing the submissions made, with a report to be finalised in Q3.
- A list of specially trained Case Officers in Intreo centres who will work to support jobseekers with disabilities has been published on Gov.ie.
- From July, the department will commence an early engagement approach with people with disabilities, initially focusing on persons aged 18 to 22 years old in a small number of locations. This is a key action under Pathways to Work and will see the Intreo service engaging actively and at the earliest opportunity to support disabled people to enter or return to employment. This approach is to be gradually rolled out nationally, and will also be expanded to other age groups over time.
- Under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025 and Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategies, my Department has committed to developing and consulting on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments to simplify the system. This will also include a review of the current long-term disability payment schemes with a view to removing inconsistencies/anomalies. This work is currently underway within my Department, with a public consultation process to commence in due course.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
