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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 2

Written Answers. - Supported Employment Service.

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

59 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any there are to provide funding to enable the continuation of a supported employment service by the National Training and Development Institute to people who are unable to access open employment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4672/97]

Limerick East): My Department and the health boards provide assistance in a number of ways to the Rehab Group, which is a private, voluntary, not-for-pro-fit organisation, to improve the employment prospects for people with disabilities. The National Training and Development Institute which is a division of the Rehab Group provides vocational training programmes for people with disabilities and develops and manages sheltered work enterprises for people with disabilities who are unable to access open employment. Funding for the sheltered work enterprises is provided by means of section 65 grants and capitation grants. Workers with a disability also maintain their entitlement to disability allowance which is administered by the Department of Social Welfare.

NTDI have been in contact with my Department concerning difficulties it is experiencing in meeting demand from existing resources and this matter is being examined by my Department in consultation with NTDI and the health boards.

Gandon Enterprises, the employment division of the Rehab Group, provides integrated employment for people with disabilities and able-bodied employees in commercially viable enterprises. Gandon Enterprises is the principal operator funded through the pilot programme for the employment of people with disabilities. Since its commencement in 1994 Gandon has received a total of £4.2 million under the pilot programme.

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