Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2024
467. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Review of the Reasonable Accommodation Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16389/24]
View answerMy Department provides a wide range of income and employment supports to assist jobseekers and employees with disabilities, and their employers. These supports include the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme.
The Reasonable Accommodation Fund provides financial support for people with disabilities and for employers to help make their workplaces more accessible. The Disability Awareness Support Scheme provides funding for disability awareness training for employees.
In Autumn 2023 I published a review of these schemes. The review recommends combining the two schemes into a single flexible scheme, simplifying systems and processes, providing approval in principle, and promoting the reformed scheme.
I allocated an additional €1 million to expand the scheme and implement these recommendations.
My officials have been working to make recommendations from this review operational. I expect to launch a reformed scheme that will give effect to all nine recommendations in the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
