Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 May 2025
123. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of organisations that have availed of the workplace adaptation and equipment grant when employing a person with a disability, in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21597/25]
View answerThe Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant was one of four grants available under the Reasonable Accommodation Fund. The table sets out expenditure on that grant over the period 2020-2024.
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant |
41 |
29 |
33 |
26 |
30 |
My Department published a review of the Reasonable Accommodation Scheme and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme in August 2023. This review recommended merging the two schemes into a single, flexible scheme and to expand and improve the supports offered under the new scheme.In July 2024, my Department launched Work and Access to replace the two former schemes. It offers seven supports to help reduce and remove barriers in the workplace for people with a disability. Grants are available for a workplace needs assessment, work equipment and workplace adaptations. Work and Access is open to all non-public sector employers, including the self-employed and people working in the community and voluntary sector. Supports are available for both business premises and remote workplaces. My Department has allocated an additional €1 million a year to this scheme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
