My Department provides employment supports and services to jobseekers and employers through the Intreo Employment Service. Intreo provides a wide range of supports to assist jobseekers, including those with a disability, to find work. Intreo also provides recruitment advice and support for employers including information on recruitment and retention incentives. Employment Supports for people with disabilities, including autism will continue to be provided via the Intreo Employment Service.
The Intreo Employment Service is a tailored and case managed employment service for all jobseekers who seek support. Each jobseeker works with an Employment Personal Adviser (EPA) with a view to agreeing a personal progression plan to access the full range of employment and skill development supports with a view to securing employment. Intreo also delivers a recruitment and job matching service for employers via events, in-person and online engagements and using the Jobsireland.ie website.
In late 2022, following extensive engagement with disability stakeholders, the Department commenced an early engagement approach through which the Intreo Employment Service proactively engages with people with a disability including those with Autism, at the earliest opportunity. The aim of this engagement is to offer support and assistance, on a voluntary basis, to support them to enter or return to employment. At 31st December 2023, just over 21,000 appointments were scheduled for people in receipt of Disability Allowance approximately 15% of those were interested in the service.
Specially trained EPAs are available in Intreo Centres to advise and assist people with disabilities to identify employment opportunities, upskill, undertake education, work placements or locally based employment programmes. There are also a number of Employer Relations Officers assigned to progress work opportunities for vulnerable jobseekers experiencing barriers to employment, including people with disabilities such as Autism. The Department offers a range of employer incentives and supports, including the wage subsidy scheme and the reasonable accommodation fund to support employers who employ people with a disability. In addition, the work placement experience programme, which is a work placement scheme, provides jobseekers, including those with a disability, with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience.
The Department recognises the additional challenges that some jobseekers with disabilities may experience in securing and maintaining employment and these jobseekers work with job coaches who provide both pre-employment and in-employment support and assistance. Additionally the Department contracts for the provision of specialist employment services through 23 EmployAbility companies, around the country. This service is dedicated to improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities, including Autism, who wish to take up employment.
As the Department already engages proactively with people with disabilities, the costs involved are subsumed into the overall costs of providing the Intreo Employment Service.
The Department will continue to proactively engage with all people with disabilities, including those with Autism, with a view to supporting them into sustainable employment.
