Ministers Humphreys and Rabbitte Bring Certainty to Future Funding for Disability Projects

From Department of Social Protection 

The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, and the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, have today confirmed that arrangements will be put in place to support the continued provision of employment services for young people with disabilities.

The Ability Programme was introduced in June

2018 to bring young people with disabilities closer to the labour market.

The funding for this Programme will amount to around €16 million over a three-year period.

It is being provided jointly under the European Union’s ESF 2014-2020 Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning Operational Programme and the Irish Exchequer.

The Ability Programme is being delivered by 27 community and voluntary groups around the country.

As the three year Programme is to conclude in June 2021, Ministers Humphreys and Rabbitte have today confirmed that a range of new measures will be put in place to ensure that funding support for young people with disabilities will remain available into the future. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks and Pobal and the Department of Social Protection will be communicating directly with Ability Providers.

Earlier today, the Ministers met with representatives of the Ability Programme providers to brief them on the options to be put in place when the Programme ends on 30 June 2021. This will ensure certainty into the future.

Minister Humphreys stated:

“I am committed to improving and extending supports to help more people with disabilities get into employment and stay in the workforce. The work that the providers have carried out under the Ability Programme has been innovative and has made a huge difference in the lives of the young participants. I want to continue this type of programme so that more young people with disabilities avail of the opportunities they need to fulfil their potential. I am very satisfied that the plan being put in place will meet the needs of these young people and that the supports will fit within the suite of existing employment supports for people with disabilities provided by the Department of Social Protection.”

Minister Rabbitte added:

“It’s vital for people with disabilities to have access to such employment supports and I’m delighted to have worked with Minister Humphreys on clearing a path forward on this. Initiatives like the Ability Programme really helped people through the employment opportunities it offered and the results it has delivered have been real and tangible for its participants. Such measures also align with the government’s aims and obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and it’s great to be able to continue with such a programme, which I hope will further bolster the positive impact for the young people involved.”