Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Sep 1999

Vol. 508 No. 1

Written Answers. - Disabled Persons Training Programmes.

Olivia Mitchell

Ceist:

410 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will reassure the public that disabled persons training programmes, currently part ESF and part Exchequer funded, will not suffer as a result of the reduction in ESF funding in the period 2000 to 2006 or as a result of the transfer of responsibility for some programmes to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. [17380/99]

John Perry

Ceist:

412 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the National Training and Development Institute (details supplied) which provides an extensive range of certified courses for people with disabilities; if he will ensure that there is adequate funding for vocational training for people with disabilities in the operational programme 2000-06 and national action plans in order that a quality service continues to be given to its trainees; his views on whether these centres deliver successful programmes in view of the fact that 80 per cent of persons who completed training to date in 1999 have secured employment or gone on to further training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17488/99]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

415 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the level of funding of vocational training for people with disabilities will be maintained in the national action plans and operational programme in 2000 to 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17247/99]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

416 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his meeting in London on 6 September 1999 with the British Prime Minister, Mr. Blair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17405/99]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

417 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will increase funding for vocational training for people with disabilities under the national action plans and operational programme in 2000 to 2006 in line with national wage agreements year on year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17249/99]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

418 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if the 3,750 funded places for vocational training of people with disabilities will be maintained under the operational programme in 2000 to 2006; if additional provision will be made for exceptional cases where individuals have an extremely severe physical disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17250/99]

Conor Lenihan

Ceist:

419 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will increase the funding of the operational programme for the vocational training of people with disabilities to ensure that Exchequer funding and ESF funding cover the actual costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17251/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 410, 412, 415, 417, 418 and 419 together.

Officials of my Department have been in consultation with the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on future funding arrangements for rehabilitative, i.e. non-vocational, and vocational training for people with a disability.

Discussions on the next operational programme and its measures are ongoing between relevant Government Departments and the European Commission. Similarly, negotiations on the national development plan – NDP – have yet to be completed.

The backdrop to the interdepartmental discussions related to the disability sector is the planned change in institutional responsibilities for services for people with a disability set out in the report 'Building a Future Together'. The relevant recommendation which is being acted upon is that responsibility for vocational training for people with a disability will be mainstreamed at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. That Department is also the lead Department for the current human resources development operational programme and is spearheading the discussions on the next operational programme and the national action plan, NAP, for employment.

Officials of my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have been anxious to ensure that the NDP and the NAP satisfactorily provide the emphasis necessary to maintain, at a minimum, the current level of vocational training for people with a disability and that, where possible, additional supports will be made available for the years 2000 to 2006. This is against a background where reduced funding will be available from EU sources and priorities for expenditure will be solidly linked to the objectives of the NAP. Future details of vocational training supports for people with a disability in the next operational programme, when they become clear, should be available from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

I am aware of the valued work carried out by the National Training and Development Institute and by the other organisations in the Not for Profit Business Association which provide services for people with a disability. The establishment of new responsibilities and arrangements for vocational training will have regard to the expertise of such organisations.