Address by Minister for Trade & Commerce Michael Ahern

On the occasion of the presentation of certificates to students of the N.T.D.I. Centre, Hollyhill, Cork

on Friday 28^th February 2003.

In this the European Year of People with Disabilities, and with the Special Olympics just around the corner, I am particularly pleased to be invited here today to present certificates to the students who have successfully completed training courses with the NTDI. I am delighted to see so many enthusiastic trainees graduating from training courses such as IT and catering, which form an essential part of today's labour market.

It is just over two years since the Government's policy of mainstreaming services to people with disabilities began. One element of the change in the delivery of services was the transfer of policy responsibility for vocational training and employment from the Department of Health and Children to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The significance of this transfer is borne out by the fact that employment and vocational training policies for people with disabilities are now formulated as part of general labour market policy in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This underlines the move from a medical approach to disability to an inclusive approach, underpinning the objective of social and economic integration.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's policies for people with disabilities are being developed through a three dimensional approach. The key elements of the approach are:

• Firstly, to develop the skills of people with disabilities for employment.

• Secondly, to stimulate awareness amongst employers of the contribution which people with disabilities can make to the economy.

• And Thirdly, to provide a range ofemployment supports for people with disabilities and employers.

I think it is fair to say that a lot of progress has been made in advancing these policy approaches, since the changeover.

• We have provided extra funding to specialist agencies, such as the NTDI, for the delivery of training to people with disabilities.

• Training Allowances for people with disabilities in vocational training have been standardised. All people with a disability on FAS-funded training courses now receive a Training Allowance from FAS and retain their Medical Card and other secondary benefits. The majority also get a Training Bonus of some €31.75 per week. NTDI trainees benefit from all of these improvements.

• We have strengthened the funding available for employment supports for people with disabilities as well as employers who take on a person with a disability.

• We have introduced new supports, such as the Disability Awareness Training Support Scheme, to help integrate people with disabilities in to employment.

Reviews of Vocational Training provision for people with disabilities, and of the Supported Employment and Sheltered Employment programmes, which are currently being completed, will further inform Departmental policy, and will ensure that training and employment services in these areas will be delivered to the most efficient extent possible.

Now that we have strengthened the financial framework for training and employment of people with disabilities, we must collectively redouble our efforts to ensure that people with disabilities get more and better jobs.

Our economic success of the last few years has given us a climate which is more open than ever before to accepting diversity in the workplace. Many employers are prepared to employ, or have given employment to, people with disabilities. In this regard I am pleased to note the good progress being made by the "Workway" initiative, which is being promoted by IBEC and ICTU with financial assistance from my Department. As you are aware this initiative promotes the employment of people with disabilities. With the cooperation of State agencies, service providers and people with disabilities, it has the potential to make a real impact on employment opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the country.

I would like to mention also that my Department will again be associated with the Aisling Foundation's major conference targeted at employers, which will be held in Dublin Castle on 30^th April, to promote "Ability" and the employability of people with disabilities.

In the drive to encourage employers to recruit people with disabilities, it is important that the training which people with disabilities receive is of high quality, and that it is relevant to the needs of the labour market. I would encourage all training providers to set themselves clear and challenging targets for the placement of people with disabilities into employment, and to constantly review their policies and practices. The reviews of policies which I have already mentioned will facilitate a rigorous assessment of policies in this area by my Department and FAS.

I want to congratulate the NTDI staff here, in Cork, for their excellent work in providing high quality training to their students. I would like to acknowledge the role of FAS, who have embraced a new area of responsibility well and who work closely with the NTDI throughout the country in developing vocational training courses for people with disabilities.

I want to acknowledge, too, the role which employers have played in providing workplace training and employment for people with disabilities. I am confident that their investment in NTDI trainees will be repaid by having skilled and hard working people in the workplace.

Today however belongs to the graduates! - And, above all, I want to congratulate all who are graduating here today. The certificates which you are about to receive are testimony to your commitment and hard work, and I am sure that the skills you have acquired will stand you in good stead in the future. You have reached the end of one phase of your learning, but it should not be the end of the learning process for you.

Learning and up-skilling must be a continuing process to ensure that the skills-base of the economy is maintained and upgraded to meet the challenges to come in future years. It is essential, therefore, that we develop a culture of Lifelong Learning in Ireland to help us cope with changes in the workplace. It will help companies to maintain competitiveness and will protect the employability of workers. So, to all of you we applaud you!