3 Oireachtas Committees explore how to improve support for disabled people transitioning into work

Thursday’s hearings are being led by the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection under its chairman, John Curran TD, in partnership with the Joint Committees on Health and Education and Skills.

Addressing the combined committees starting at 10 a.m. in Committee Room 4, Leinster House, are representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland, which cooperates with 120 organisations supporting more than 600,000 disabled people nationwide, and Inclusion Ireland, the national association for people with intellectual disabilities.

“Currently a person with a disability may receive financial support, professional assistance and special equipment as part of their school environment or training course -- but lose that essential aid immediately when they become a jobseeker,” said Deputy Curran. “Members of the three committees together are determined to remove disincentives to taking up a new job. We are gathering expert views on the extent of these issues and seeking examples where supports already do flow from one activity to the other.”

Thursday’s witnesses are:

• Dr. Joanne McCarthy, senior executive officer in policy and research at the Disability Federation of Ireland;
• Dr. Patricia McCarthy, who will discuss her experiences as a visually impaired student, researcher and lecturer at University College Dublin and Trinity College; and
• Mark O'Connor, community engagement manager at Inclusion Ireland.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Committee proceedings also can be viewed live via the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App on Apple and Android devices.