Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2024
589. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the new initiatives that have been developed since March 2020 that improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities living in rural areas. [36213/24]
View answerGovernment policy is to continually increase the number of people working in rural Ireland, by creating an environment that supports the growth of entrepreneurship and enterprise and increases employment opportunities.
Within the framework of the Department of Rural and Community Development’s blueprint on rural development - Our Rural Future: Rural Development Policy 2021-2025 - my Department is committed to developing initiatives to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities living in rural areas.
In particular, my Department has responsibility for the implementation of two sets of actions under Our Rural Future 2024 Work Programme . Firstly, it supports the Open Doors Initiative to deliver the Employers for Change programme. This programme offers supports to employers to recruit people with disabilities into employment throughout Ireland, including in rural settings.
Employers for Change has done significant work in supporting employers to recruit disabled people, through events, seminars, training, publications, and engaging with employers directly. In 2023 Employers for Change surpassed all agreed targets and continues to provide substantial support for this sector.
Secondly, my Department has committed to the publication of a new strategy to replace the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. Work is currently ongoing on the development of a new National Disability Strategy with publication expected in 2024. A public consultation process for the Strategy has concluded. The process was extensive and robust, including 34 focus groups, 18 interviews, more than 80 written submissions, 500 responses to a National Survey and 5 town hall-style events around the country, as well as online submissions.
Based on the consultation findings and ongoing engagement with disability stakeholders and across government, employment will be a key pillar of the new Strategy and will include key strategic actions aimed at enhancing employment opportunities and supports for disabled people. The development process for these actions will give due consideration to supports necessary for people with disabilities living in rural areas.
