Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
82. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection the supports in place for people with disabilities to work; his plans to further improve them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31080/26]
View answerWe want to improve the employment position of disabled people, and I am determined that we will do that. That's why we have been improving our existing supports, and why we have a range of commitments to do more over the lifetime of the Government.
My Department’s Intreo service is a single point of contact for all employment and income supports in the State. Disabled people can access mainstream supports such as employment, education and training opportunities, as well as employment schemes such as Community Employment, the Work Placement Experience Programme 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.
In December 2023, my Department established the WorkAbility programme. It is co-financed by the European Social Fund. There are 57 local, regional and national projects which aim to support over 13,500 disabled people to 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 disabled people. 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. Budget 2026 has provided for an extension of eligibility to people who acquire a disability while in employment and to those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit. It also provided for an increase in the subsidy rates, with the base rate increasing from €6.30 to €7.50 per hour.
To support disabled people entering the workplace and make the welfare to work journey as smooth as possible, disabled people on an income support payment can avail of an earnings disregard. Recipients of Disability Allowance and Blind Pension can take up employment and may earn up to €165 and keep their payment in full. They can earn up to €527.60 and keep a portion of their payment and retain their secondary benefits.
Furthermore, as a result of Budget 2026, people moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work are able to retain their Fuel Allowance payment for five years. The Back to Work Family Dividend has also been extended to this group, where they have children.
Along with my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, I am leading the employment pillar under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. The strategy includes a range of commitments to improve the position of disabled people in employment. I am pleased that we have already made progress and we will continue to deliver on these commitments over the lifetime of the Strategy.
I trust this clarifies the matter for Deputy.
