Tánaiste launches innovative new schemes for people with disabilities

"Aim is to focus on ability rather than disability" - Tánaiste

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Mary Harney, today (Tuesday 8 April 2003) launched two important new schemes to encourage and facilitate the employment of people with disabilities. The schemes will be operated by FÁS.

Speaking at the launch of the Employee Retention Grant Scheme and the Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme the Tánaiste said: "Both of these schemes arise from commitments given by this Government in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. Together the schemes represent an innovative initiative to address the difficulties which people with disabilities experience in accessing employment. The schemes are unique within the European Union and will be driven by FÁS who will bring to bear their experience and commitment in promoting the employment of people with disabilities."

The Tánaiste continued: The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness recognised the benefits to society through the provision of support to facilitate people with disabilities to access and remain in employment. However, there are challenges to be faced in making the workplace more accessible and available statistics underline the extent of that challenge".

"Over 10% of the population aged 15-64 (that's a total of some 271,000 people of working age) have a long-term health problem or disability. 85% of these have acquired a disability, or longstanding health problem, over the course of their lives. However, only 40% (108,600) of those with a long-term health problem or disability are in employment compared with 65% of the total population in the same age category. 75% of those in employment are actually in full-time employment.

"These two schemes will benefit people with disabilities in different ways. The Employee Retention Grant Scheme aims to maintain people in employment if they acquire an illness, condition or impairment that puts their continued employment at risk. The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme provides funding towards the cost of delivering in-company training to educate and inform staff about people with disability and disability in general. The aim is to move the focus from disability to ability.

"Both the Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme and the Employee Retention Grant Scheme benefit employees by providing opportunities to develop a greater appreciation of the value of people with disabilities as capable and productive co-workers.

"Both schemes will enable people with disabilities to access or maintain participation in the labour market with the additional benefit of retaining social contacts with work colleagues," the Tánaiste concluded.

Director General of FÁS, Rody Molloy emphasised that these programmes aim to " re-focus employer/ employee attitudes towards the ability of people with disabilities. As this being the European Year of People with Disabilities we have the opportunity to strengthen this priority". He went on to say that "FÁS will continue to demonstrate its commitment to mainstreaming by promoting these new initiatives to employers through our Services to Business offices. "

Note to Editors

The Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme aims to re-focus employer and employee attitudes towards the ability (rather than the "disability") of people with disabilities by providing funding so that employers can buy in Disability Awareness Training for their staff.

The Employee Retention Grant Scheme recognises that many employers, particularly in the small and medium enterprises lack the necessary expertise, but not the will, to support and retain existing employees who acquire an illness, condition or impairment. It has been developed to support employers in accessing the external expertise they require to enable them to retain these employees and their valued skills and expertise.

The Employee Retention Grant Scheme is endorsed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; The Construction Industry Federation; Irish Business and Employers Confederation; Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association; Small Firms Association; Irish Congress of Trades Union; Irish Insurance Federation; Health and Safety Authority.

For further information contact:

Shira Mehlman, Director Social Inclusion, FÁS, 27/33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4

Tel: 01 6077449/087-2805913.

ENDS