Minister Killeen stresses Government’s continued commitment to facilitate the employment of people with disabilities

Minister for Labour Affairs Tony Killeen today (Wednesday 9^th November 2005) stressed the Government’s commitment to addressing the needs of people with disabilities and to removing the obstacles to active labour participation. Minister Killen was addressing the conference of the Irish Association of Supported Employment in Limerick.

Minster Killeen said “This Government recognises that the training and reintegration into the labour market of people with disabilities is a priority and is fully committed to achieving this. People with disabilities now benefit from the full range of FAS training programmes and services. Since 2002 FAS has placed about 25,000 people with disabilities in employment, on training, and afforded other options such as education, and further training. In that period, the FAS budget for these types of supports has increased from €54 million to €64 million at present.

Minister Killeen went on to underline to employers the availability of a large untapped pool of labour. "In spite of the improved employment situation in recent years, many people with disabilities experience difficulties in gaining access to, and remaining in, employment. At a time when many employers are finding it difficult to fill vacancies, there needs to be a recognition that people with disabilities can contribute to meeting the current skills shortages in many sectors".

Minister Killeen pointed out that Supported Employment is one of a range of FAS schemes and grants that are available specifically to promote the employment of people with disabilities in the private sector. He also highlighted the importance of the Disability Act 2005 and said “it is another positive step designed to advance and underpin participation by people with disabilities in everyday life”.

“My Department will continue to work towards improving access to employment for people with disabilities and to raise awareness of the contribution which people with disabilities can make to the labour market. We all know that employers are finding it difficult to fill vacancies at present. For some of those employers, the solution to the problem may be closer to hand than they think”, Minister Killeen concluded.

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