TD says change in wage subsidy will help disabled workers

An expansion of the wage subsidy scheme will help more disabled people gain and retain employment while also benefiting more groups in the community and voluntary sectors, a Cork TD has suggested.

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O'Shea said he was delighted to see the improvements announced this week to the wage subsidy scheme. 

"Supports like this play not only a critical role in closing the employment gap for people with disabilities, reducing poverty and supporting families and communities, but also for employers in bringing new ideas, skills and knowledge to their businesses," said the TD.

Under the new expanded scheme, eligibility for support will be widened to include all non-public sector employers, including the commercial semi-state sector.

Other reforms to have been introduced include a reduction in the minimum of hours required for the scheme from 21 hours per week to 15.  

This will enable those with more limited work capacity to be included. 

The term 'productivity deficit' has been removed from the scheme to enable a focus on adapting a role to the ability of a disabled person while there is a new emphasis, also, on the expansion of the scheme beyond recruitment to include retention of people at work.  

This is regarded as being of particular importance as most disabilities are acquired. People who return to work on Partial Capacity Benefit and who have acquired their disability or health condition in the previous 12 months are now eligible. 

The subsidy rate is to be reviewed on a regular basis and knowledge of the scheme is also set to be promoted. 

A nationwide publicity campaign has been commissioned and will shortly be rolled out. 

According to Hildegarde Naughton, the Minister of State with responsibility for Disabilities, empowering people to access meaningful employment remained a core priority. 

"This government has a vision of an Ireland where no one faces exclusion or discrimination in any facet of society, including in the context of employment," said Minister Naughton, adding that all people with disabilities should be able to live full lives on an equitable basis with all others.