THE NUMBER of people with disabilities to be employed in the workforce is set to increase significantly under the terms of the Government's supported employment programme, a conference heard yesterday.
Minister for State with responsibility for disability John Moloney said an employment strategy being finalised by the Department of Enterprise has set targets to achieve the highest possible level of employment for people with disabilities.
The targets seek to:
• Place 7,000 more people with disabilities in work by 2010;
• Increase the employment rate of people with disabilities from 37 per cent to 45 per cent by 2016;
• Boost participation of people with disabilities in work, training and education to 50 per cent by 2016.
Mr Moloney, speaking at the annual conference of the Irish Association of Supported Employment in Dublin yesterday, said meeting these targets will be a major challenge. "We need to ensure that systems, programmes and supports are integrated and complementary, and that income supports and associated benefits do not create financial barriers to seeking, accepting or improving employment," he said.
Senator Fergal Quinn told the conference that many businesses were failing to tap a huge talent of people with different abilities.
"Employers need to weigh up a person's ability to do the job in question and not put the spotlight on the disability."