Speech by Minister Jimmy Devins T.D. at the launch of new Irish Association of Supported Employment Website

FÁS Supports for People with Disabilities

As part of the mainstreaming policy, a range of schemes and grants are provided by FÁS to promote the employment prospects of people with disabilities in the open labour market. Among these, the FÁS Supported Employment Programme is a key employment support that is aimed at assisting people with disabilities in getting into paid employment. Other supports provided by FÁS include the Wage Subsidy Scheme, Work Equipment Adaptation Grant, and the Employee Retention Grant.

As practitioners under the Supported Employment Programme, a unique feature of the programme is that it provides supports for both disabled job seekers as well as to the employers who provide the jobs. Job Coaches provide on-going support to the employee and the employer for an appropriate period. Employees receive assistance in identifying skills, job sourcing, in-work supports, aftercare and mentoring, and career development. Employers receive advice and assistance with job design and technologies, and information on financial and other supports available to them for recruiting and retaining people with disabilities.

Review of Supported Employment Programme

The operation of the Supported Employment Programme has recently been reviewed on behalf of FÁS with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of the programme. Following discussions between FÁS and my Department, and with Supported Employment stakeholders representatives, an Action Plan has been developed to implement the review recommendations for enhancing the future operation of the programme. These include reducing the current 18 hours per week work requirement to 8 hours per week, thus broadening the scope of the programme for disabled job seekers.

The key objective of the Action Plan is to increase overall participation and placement rates under the programme. Implementation of the Action Plan has already commenced, and will continue into 2009.

Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities

The Sectoral Plan under the Disability Act 2005 for my Department outlines a number of key initiatives in promoting equal opportunities for people with disabilities, including the development of a Comprehensive Employment Strategy.

An outline of the implementation of a Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities has recently been developed by my Department, following discussion with the Consultative Forum, which

includes a representative of the Irish Association of Supported Employment. I am pleased to note that the outline for the implementation of the strategy received a very positive response from the Consultative Forum. The aim of the outline strategy is to address the diversity of circumstances, needs and abilities of people with disabilities, and for it to contribute to achieving the highest possible levels of employment for people with disabilities.

A key focus of the Strategy is on making the optimal changes to existing programmes, schemes and services, in particular with regard to the Supported Employment Programme and Wage Subsidy Scheme. The overall objective of the strategy is to enhance the operation and effectiveness of the range of FÁS supports and services to facilitate the increased participation of people with disabilities in the labour market in the context of the employment target set by the Sectoral Plan.

Job Shadow Day

Last year, as part of raising awareness for supported employment, the ‘National Job Shadow Day’ was organised by the Irish Association of Supported Employment. It aimed to highlight the skills and talents that people with disabilities bring to the workforce, and to help people with a disability to identify career choices.

I understand that this innovative project was very successful and received very positive feedback from all those involved. I would like to compliment the Association, and the large number of employers who took part in this initiative, which helped to raise awareness for supported employment amongst all stakeholders, and the general public. I understand that a second annual ‘Job Shadow’ initiative will take place in April this year and I am confident that it will again be a success.

Concluding Remarks

In conclusion, I would like to thank the Irish Association of Supported Employment for asking me here today to launch its new look website, and to acknowledge your continuing services to people with disabilities. The Internet is a valuable source of information for all of us, and particularly so for people with disabilities. Through a number of dedicated websites, it now provides valuable information on the range of supports and services that are available to help people with disabilities to gain independence and to play their full part in the world of work.

I would like to wish you every success with your new website and for your on-going work on behalf of people with disabilities.