Mark Wall
Question:550. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider the attached submission on the wage subsidy scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49763/26]
View answerTuesday, 30 June 2026
Questions (550)
Written answers
Supporting disabled people and reducing the disability employment gap are key priorities for me and for the Government. That is why the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 include a range of commitments in this regard.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is a key disability employment support provided by my Department. It aims to encourage employers to offer substantial and sustainable employment to disabled people through a subsidy.
The Department of Social Protection published a review of the Wage Subsidy Scheme in 2024 following a public consultation to make the scheme more accessible and flexible. As a result, the minimum hours were reduced from 21 to 15 per week, and the scheme was expanded to the community and voluntary sector and the non-commercial semi-state sector. In addition, the language was changed to align with the social model of disability.
One of the recommendations made was to regularly review the subsidy rate. The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 also includes a commitment to examine an increase in the subsidy rate. The rate was reviewed in the context of Budget 2026. As a result, the number of bands were reduced, and the subsidy rates were increased. The base wage subsidy paid to employers who employ disabled people is now €7.50 per hour, an increase from €6.30.
Employers who employ 25 or more employees on the Wage Subsidy Scheme can still avail of a grant of €30,000 towards the cost of employing an Employment Assistance Officer.
Budget 2026 also provided for the expansion of the scheme to people who's role has to be adjusted because they acquired a disability while in employment, those who have a progressive or degenerative condition that worsens, and those who transfer from Invalidity Pension to Partial Capacity Benefit.
Under the eligibility criteria applicable to the scheme, employees must be either new or an existing employee who is in their current employment for less than 12 months. Officials from my Department have met with representatives of the organisation to which the Deputy refers to discuss the issues raised and other relevant schemes that may be of assistance.
Any further changes to the scheme would be considered in a budgetary context. But I can assure the Deputy that improving employment outcomes for people with disabilities is a priority of mine. Indeed, closing the disability employment gap is a key focus of my Department during Ireland's Presidency of the EU, and beyond.