Improvements in Training Allowance for People with Disabilities - Tanaiste Almost 2,000 people with disabilities to recieve a minimum of £110.50 (€140.31) during Training' 'Trainees will recieve Medical Card and Secondary Benefits'

Mary Harney, Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, today (Monday 23rd July 2001) announced a major new initiative for people with disabilities on FAS training courses.

Making the announcement today the Tánaiste said "Up to now most people with disabilities have been dependent on social welfare payments as their source of income while in training. This placed those who do not qualify for social welfare at a huge disadvantage. I was not happy that this was either fair or equitable and so I have acted to eliminate the inequity once and for all."

"From today, all people with disabilities on FAS training courses will receive a Training Allowance of at least £85.50 (€108.56) per week from FAS. The majority will also get a Training Bonus of £25 (€31.74) per week. I have also arranged that people with disabilities will retain their Medical Card and other secondary benefits while in training," the Tánaiste added.

The Tánaiste continued "I have also ensured that trainees will have their social welfare payments restored by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs if they are unable to continue the vocational training course, or if they finish the training course and do not have a job".

The Tánaiste said: "In guaranteeing greater opportunities to people with disabilities, we must ensure that the same rights and benefits are available to all. Today's announcement is a huge step towards this consistency of approach. I want to acknowledge the advice and support of the main disability organisations with whom we have consulted in relation to this initiative."

The new arrangements will result in payments of at least £110.50 (€140.31) for almost 2,000 people with disabilities in vocational training. A letter has issued to all trainees, informing them of the new arrangements.

The Tánaiste said "For too long people with disabilities have been viewed only for their disabilities and not their abilities. I am very strongly committed to changing this attitude and ensuring that this group have the necessary training and qualifications to access more and for the world of work through vocational training, and by helping employers to integrate people with disabilities into the workplace through the provision of appropriate supports".

"One the major challenges facing the Irish economy at the moment is to ensure an adequate supply of labour. I would encourage employers to recognise that people with disabilities can contribute to meeting labour shortages in many sectors. Many employers already take a very positive approach to employing people with disabilities and I want to acknowledge the support of the social partners in continuing to promote the employment of disabled people. I believe that our collective policies will have many positive outcomes, not just for people with disabilities, but also for employers and for the economy as a whole", she added.

The Tánaiste concluded by confirming that additional funding of £5.45 million (€6.92 million) was made available this year in her Department’s Vote to improve training and employment supports for people with disabilities. This funding includes:

- £2.55 million (€3.24 million) per annum for the introduction of the Training Bonus to people with disabilities,

- £1.18 million (€1.5 million) to improve the quality of training delivered to people with disabilities and achieve higher placement rates,

- £1.2 million (€1.52 million) extra for the Supported Employment Programme and for piloting new approaches to employment and training of people with disabilities,

- £520,000 (€660,000) for increases in the Employment Support Scheme, the Workplace/Equipment Adaptation Grant scheme and Sheltered Employment.

Background In June 2000, as part of the Government’s policy of mainstreaming services to people with disabilities, responsibility for the employment and vocational training of people with disabilities transferred from the Department of Health and Children to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Services which were previously administered by the National Rehabilitation Board on behalf of the Department of Health and Children are now administered by FAS. Rehabilitative training, which is not directly linked to the labour market, remains the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children.

Just under 2,000 vocational training places for people with disabilities transferred to FAS from the NRB system. These training places are allocated to agencies with particular expertise in training people with disabilities. Those agencies deliver training under contract to FAS. In addition, an average of 300 people with disabilities attend FAS Training Centres at any given time.

In 1996, the Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities recommended that people with disabilities participating in training should be paid an appropriate training allowance and retain their secondary benefits (Commission’s Report, Para. 7.42, page 142).

People with disabilities will also retain their Medical Card and other secondary benefits while training under FAS.

The Training Allowance will substitute the trainee’s Disability Allowance or Blind Person’s Pension for the duration of the training course. However, social welfare payments will be restored automatically by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs if the trainee is unable to continue the training course, or finishes the training course and does not have a job. FÁS will continue to pay the Training Allowance until the Social Welfare payment is restored in these cases.

People with a disability who do not receive a Social Welfare payment at present will receive a FÁS Training Allowance of £85.50 (€108.56) per week and the Training Bonus of £25 (€31.74) per week.

• Occupational Guidance and Counselling Services
• Job placement services
• Vocational Training courses
• Apprenticeship
• Community Employment
• Traineeships
• Job Clubs
• Social Economy Programme
• Supported Employment
• Job Interview Interpreter Grant, available to people with a hearing or speech impairment, who are attending job interviews.
• Personal Reader Grant, available to people who are blind or visually impaired and may need assistance with job related reading.
• FAS supports available to employers include:
  • The Employment Support Scheme, which is a wage subsidy available to employers who employ people with disabilities whose productivity levels are below average
  • Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant, which provides financial support to employers who have to adapt their workplace or provide specialized equipment to facilitate an employee with a disability
  • Disability Awareness Training Grant
  • Employee Re-training Grant, which is available to re-train workers who become disabled while in employment

Employers may also benefit from PRSI exemption if they employ a person with a disability.

Full details of FAS services to people with disabilities and employers are available from all local FAS offices.