Disability Support Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2013

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Ceisteanna (430)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

430. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has examined the budgetary requirements of the employability service in County Kildare which handles the administration and placement of employment for people with a particular or special needs requirement in the context of their employment, if her attention has been drawn to the need for continuity of funds for the provision of the services required with particular reference to the changeover from FÁS-Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment to her Department; if she will arrange to liaise with the service providers with a view to contract update and renewal and the need for dependability and reliability of the backup funding service now the responsibility of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8693/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

I am very much aware of the valuable service provided by the EmployAbility Services, including Kildare EmployAbility, in supporting people with disabilities into employment. I can confirm that contracts and budget allocations for the current year have now been finalised for each of the twenty-three Employability companies and the relevant staff in the Department are arranging for the completion of the necessary formalities with the individual companies throughout the country. I wish to reassure the Deputy that the issues around the annual renewal of the EmployAbility company contracts are being examined in my Department with a view to ensuring that short-term problems – such as those encountered in Kildare – do not arise in the future.