Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
617. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding assistive technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33583/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, the matter of assistive technologies to aid people with disabilities is a single element which forms part of the Government's wider policy to provide the necessary supports to enable people with disabilities to access education, and to enter and remain in employment.
To assist in achieving these aims, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 – 2021 is a whole of Government approach to improving the lives of people with disabilities both in a practical sense, and also in creating the best possible opportunities for people with disabilities to fulfil their potential. It is intended that the Strategy will make a significant difference over its lifetime to the position of people with disabilities in Irish society.
The Strategy is envisaged as a 'living document,' and includes over 100 measurable and time specific actions based around the following eight themes:
- Equality and Choice;
- Joined up policies and public services;
- Education;
- Employment;
- Health and Wellbeing;
- Person centred disability services;
- Living in the Community; and
- Transport and Accessible Places
As part of the Strategy, the Government will develop proposals to address access to, or affordability of necessary aids, appliances or assistive technologies required for everyday living, for those people with disabilities whose entry, retention or return to work could be jeopardised due to being unable to afford these items. I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to developing plans to implement the most viable of these proposals.
In addition to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Government also has a dedicated, specific initiative underway to assist people with disabilities to enter into and remain in meaningful employment.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy 2015 - 2024 is a ten-year cross-government approach that brings together actions by different Departments and State agencies in a concerted effort to address the barriers and challenges that impact on employment of people with disabilities.
The primary purpose of the Strategy is to ensure that people with disabilities who are able to, and want to, work are supported and enabled to do so. In tandem with that, it seeks to ensure there will be joined-up services and supports at local level to support individuals on their journey into and in employment. The Strategy's six strategic priorities are:
- Build skills, capacity and independence
- Provide bridges and supports into work
- Make work pay (the Make Work Pay Report was launched in April 2016 and many of its recommendations are already being implemented).
- Promote job retention and re-entry to work
- Provide coordinated and seamless support
- Engage employers
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy includes a range of practical measures to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. For example, a national employer helpline was launched in January 2016 to provide expert guidance and peer support to employers in relation to the employment of staff with disabilities. Also, there will be an increase in the public sector employment quota from 3% to 6% on a phased basis to 2024, and arrangements are also being put in place for dedicated recruitment channels for people with disabilities.
Implementation of the Strategy is monitored by a working group under the direction of an independent chairperson. This group is tasked with monitoring the progress of the six strategic priorities of the strategy, and with the assistance with representatives and stakeholders from the disability sector, ensures that each Government Department is fulfilling its obligations and meeting its targets.
The Deputy will also note that the implementation of both of these Strategies is supported by the allocation of funding of some €1.772bn in 2018, for health and personal social services to address the wide and complex range of services and supports for people with disabilities. This is an increase of some €92 million than was available last year.
Taking the measures I have outlined above into consideration, and while recognising the Deputy's request for a specific tool in the form of an AT Passport, it is the Government's policy to ensure that the optimal and sustainable supports for people with disabilities under both Strategies are identified and are put in place, before committing to specific individual actions in isolation.
