Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022
69. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to conduct reviews of the workplace adaptation grant and reasonable accommodation fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5489/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a wide range of income and employment supports to assist jobseekers and employees with disabilities, and employers seeking to hire a person or support an existing employee with a disability.
One of these employment supports is the Reasonable Accommodation Fund (RAF), which includes the Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant. These are currently being reviewed by my Department as part of its commitments under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (2015-2024). Stakeholders will have an opportunity to contribute to the review later in Quarter 1, 2022.
It is also important to note that the funding the Department makes available through the grants it administers does not impact or lessen the obligation on employers to provide reasonable accommodations. The Employment Equality Acts oblige employers to take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of both employees and job applicants with disabilities.
