95. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of reducing the minimum required hours under the wage subsidy scheme from 21 hours to 15 hours in April 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50438/25]

Sentiment score: 0.01

My question concerns supporting people with a disability to find substantial, sustainable and meaningful employment and implementing the recommendations of the review of the wage subsidy scheme. I would like to know the cost of reducing the minimum required hours under the wage subsidy scheme from 21 to 15 hours in April 2024 and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.

Sentiment score: 0.55

The programme for Government recognised that people with a disability face significant additional costs in their daily lives and seeks to improve supports and ensure the welfare system is progressive and empowers people to live full and independent lives. It is welcome to see that the stakeholder review was taken on board by the Department. As the Minister mentioned, the cost of €889,000 associated with this change is relatively minor but it has a major impact. It means that 257 people with a disability or health condition who were not covered previously have benefited from the many social, economic and health benefits that come with sustainable and meaningful employment. We really need to continue to support them. They have valuable skills and strengths to contribute to the workplace and they may want the opportunity to do so. It should be a priority for the Government to remove any barriers that still stand in their way. Are there any plans to implement the other recommendations in the review or how does the Minister see them being progressed?

Sentiment score: 0.39

I thank the Minister. I think we still have a way to go here in terms of making progress. I welcome the ongoing review of the subsidy itself and the entry points and levels. According to the Disability Federation of Ireland, just over 30% of people with disabilities here are in employment. The EU average is around 50%, so we need to focus on building skills. I also suggest we need to promote the scheme. I think one element of the feedback from a year or two ago was that employers were basically unaware of the scheme and what it could do for them. Promotion of the scheme, therefore, is very important. Nationwide, we can use the local authorities and the various groups to promote the scheme and to get more people participating in the scheme.

Sentiment score: 0.23