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Wage Subsidy Scheme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Ceisteanna (1464)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

1464. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to introduce changes to the wage subsidy scheme for persons with brain injuries in view of the fact that the requirement of working 21 hours as a minimum is often too difficult for many persons with this type of injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16409/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) was established to provide an incentive for private sector employers to create new opportunities for people with disabilities to access the open labour market. For employers to participate in the WSS, an employee must work a minimum of 21 hours per week up to a maximum of 39 hours per week. The objective to incentivise the employment of people with disabilities in the open labour market provided the basis for the establishment of the WSS within FÁS and for its subsequent transfer with similar conditions to the DEASP when the services merged in 2012.

A proposal to reduce the hours worked condition for the WSS may not be consistent with the aim of supporting open market employment and consequently there are no plans to change the hours worked condition at this time.

There are other supports available to persons with a disability such as the Partial Capacity Benefit or the income disregards and taper as part of the Disability Allowance payment. Further details are available through the Intreo service.

More generally, the DEASP is consulting with disability groups in relation to the recommendations of the Make Work Pay report and in particular how to get better employment outcomes for persons with disability. The Department will report back on the results of that consultation to Government later this year. The Government will consider what additional measures might be undertaken to improve employment outcomes.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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