Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
55. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the action being taken by his Department, in liaison with other Government departments, to increase the level of participation in the workforce of those with disabilities, including the WSS, work and access, employability, workability and other relevant schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15518/26]
View answerMy Department’s Intreo service is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports in the State. Disabled people seeking employment can access mainstream employment and training opportunities and schemes such as the Work Placement Experience Programme, Community Employment and Tús.
Intreo staff can also refer disabled customers to tailored supports such as Employability. Employability is a service that offers a professional job-matching service, on-going support and advice and information on employment supports for disabled people. It also acts as a recruitment advice service for the business community and provides employers with access to a pool of potential employees.
In December 2023, my Department established the WorkAbility programme. It is co-financed with the EU Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training Programme. This programme aims to support disabled people into employment through 57 local, regional and national projects. The programme aims to support over 13,000 disabled people progress their training and employment ambitions over five years.
In July 2024, the Department launched a new scheme called Work and Access. This scheme offers seven supports to improve access in the workplace for people with a disability. Funding is available for communication supports, work equipment, workplace adaptations and training. Jobseekers, employees, self-employed people and employers may apply for supports both for the business premises and remote workplaces.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme supports employers to hire disabled people through a subsidy. A number of changes to the scheme were introduced following a review of the scheme. In particular, the minimum number of hours from 21 to 15 per week and the expansion to the voluntary, community and non commercial semi-state sectors. Budget 2026 provided for a further expansion in eligibility from January 2026 and an increase in the subsidy rates from April of this year.
In July 2022, my Department launched Early Engagement. The scheme aims to proactively engage disabled people in a ‘return to work’ process in the early stages of disability or illness. All engagement is on a voluntary basis. Since the commencement of Early Engagement, Intreo staff have reached out to over 39,500 customers. Approximately 3,700 customers were referred to just over 5,000 further education and training opportunities, Employability, job vacancies and employment support schemes.
Under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, my Department, along with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is leading the employment pillar. The Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation is also responsible for actions within the pillar. Over the lifetime of the Strategy departments will work together to raise awareness of existing supports and to improve access to the workplace for disabled people.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
