Groups urge bigger job scheme for the disabled

Groups working with people with intellectual disabilities have called for the extension of the wage subsidy and supported employment schemes to support people with disabilities in the open labour force, as alternatives to the sheltered workshop model.

The €10 million wage subsidy scheme (WSS), run under the auspices of Fás, will be reviewed next year. It began in September 2005 and was planned to run for three years.

Clíona Ní Chualáin, acting CEO of Inclusion Ireland, called for the extension of "alternatives" to the sheltered workshop model which continues to predominate.

"We would like to see a move towards a people-centred approach and towards supported employment in the open labour force - if that's what the individual wants."

The WSS provides subsidies to employers who hire people with disabilities for more than 20 hours per week. The subsidy is calculated on the basis of the "assessed productivity" of the disabled person. This productivity is agreed between the employer, the employee and Fás.

Subsidies for each person range from €5.30 an hour to €4.26 per hour, explained Alan Chapman, manager Fás Disability Policy and Development.

"If a company employs more than two disabled people they are also entitled to a grant towards the employment of additional supervisory/mentoring staff.

"And if they employ 30 or more they are entitled to a grant of €30,000 per year towards employing a dedicated employment assistance officer.

There were 418 people with disabilities on the WSS, including about 150 people with intellectual disabilities.

This compares with 4,457 in sheltered workshops, out of a population of 24,386 people with intellectual disabilities in some kind of day activity.

The Health Research Board says there are 906 people with intellectual disabilities in supported employment, a scheme also run by Fás, which offers on-the-job supports such as a job-coach.

Mr Chapman confirmed the WSS would be reviewed next year and it was "possible" it would cease taking on more participants. The Supported Employment Scheme is also under review.

A spokeswoman for the department indicated, however, the WSS would be "enhanced" rather than discontinued as a result of next year's review.

A spokeswoman for Rehab Enterprises, formerly Gandon Enterprises and the company which employs the highest number of people under the WSS, said the company "really hopes the scheme is maintained but we are waiting to see". It employs 214 people with disabilities, out of a workforce of 440, to make products such as protective clothing.

Inclusion Ireland's Clíona Ní Chualáin said it was important to remember some people with disabilities may not want to be in the open labour market "for whatever reasons," she stressed. "I'm not sure the system is providing choice at the moment but it is crucial there isn't some 'quick fix' and that a variety of meaningful options are put in place."