Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2010
157 Deputy Trevor Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the supports that are currently in place for graduates with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23918/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Government's mainstreaming policy a range of schemes and grants are provided by FÁS to assist people with disabilities, including graduates, to promote their employment prospects in the open labour market.
In this regard the recently launched FÁS Work Placement Programme is open to all unemployed people, including graduates with disabilities. The programme provides the opportunity to obtain 6 months work experience while on placement with a company. While on the work placement participants retain their social welfare status and entitlements.
FÁS provides funding for two programmes that have been developed by the Association for Higher Education Access and Delivery and are aimed at graduates with a disability. The Association is an independent non-profit organisation that has worked over the last 20 years to promote full access and participation for graduates.
The first programme, the Willing Able Mentoring Programme, aims to bring graduates and employers together and promote accessibility to the labour market for graduates with a disability. This programme is designed as a mentored work placement programme by providing a support system to management, staff and graduates to promote the inclusion of people with a disability in the workplace. The current proposals also include disability related support to employers participating in the FÁS Work Placement Programme.
The second programme, Get Ahead: Get Ready for Work Programme 2010, builds life long career skills for graduates with a disability, enabling them to deal with a labour market that demands mobility. It also promotes disability awareness among professionals, informing careers advisers on disability issues to allow them to offer a more inclusive service.
158 Deputy Trevor Sargent asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the work programme of the FÁS national advisory group on disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23919/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for FÁS and all of its functions in regard to employment services, community programmes, skills and training programmes have recently been transferred to my Department under the transfer of functions between Government Departments announced by an Taoiseach in March, 2010. Subject to the enactment of legislation, it is intended that responsibility for employment services and community programmes will further transfer from this Department to the Department of Social Protection as soon as possible.
Pending the implementation of these changes, the FÁS National Advisory Committee on Disability has agreed to postpone its Summer-time meeting until 12th October, 2010, when it is hoped that the work plan of the committee can be revisited in the light of the new reporting structures that it is intended will have been implemented in the meantime.
