Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 February 2025
642. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications made under the reasonable accommodation fund in the years 2020 to 2024; and the level of funding given to successful applicants under several named grants (details supplied). [2274/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe grants available under the Reasonable Accommodation Fund aimed to support the employment of disabled people in the open labour market and to make the workplace more accessible. The table below provides data on expenditure as requested on three of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund grants issued from 2020 to 2024.
|
- |
Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant |
Job Interview Interpreter Grant |
Personal Reader Grant |
TOTAL |
|
2020 |
€84,149 |
€3,845 |
€18,970 |
€106,964 |
|
2021 |
€65,118 |
€2,748 |
€27,702 |
€95,568 |
|
2022 |
€69,919 |
€952 |
€23,244 |
€90,115 |
|
2023 |
€59,194 |
€723 |
€29,129 |
€89,045 |
|
2024 (estimate) |
€76,865 |
€2,621 |
€29,280 |
€108,767 |
It should be noted that the figures above for 2024 represent claims processed prior to the launch of Work and Access even if expenditure occurred after that point.
A review of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme was published in August 2023, including recommendations on how to improve supports for disabled people at work.
A replacement scheme, Work and Access, was launched at the end of July 2024 incorporating the review recommendations. Work and Access includes a number of supports for employers and employees such as Workplace Needs Assessment, Communication Support, Personal Reader, Workplace Adaptation, and Disability Equality and Inclusion Training. A comprehensive campaign promoting the new scheme ran during the autumn.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
