Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
133. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of organisations that have received the disability awareness support scheme to date in 2023; how this number compares with the same time in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14928/23]
View answerThe Disability Awareness Support Scheme provides a contribution towards the cost of disability awareness training for private sector employers. Employers can claim 90% of the eligible training costs in the first year and 80% in subsequent years.
The training to be delivered must provide clear and accurate information about disability, address questions that employers or employees may have and cover anti-discrimination and equal opportunities legislation.
So far this year three organisations have received this grant and the value of the grants issued was €2,160. For the same period last year, January to March, one organisation received the grant. It is important to note that the grant is demand-led, and so the number and value of the grants provided is linked to the number of applications received.
My Department promotes the grants through its Intreo service and employer engagement activities. The funding available is also highlighted by private training companies and disability organisations who provide disability awareness training.
These actions are part of my Department's commitment to providing adequate supports for people with disabilities.
I would like to see an improved take-up of the grant and have asked my Department to review the scheme this year to see how it could be made more effective.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
