Supported employment and the National Disability Strategy Eithne Fitzgerald Head of Policy and Public Affairs National Disability Authority

Outline Facts and figures National Disability Strategy Promoting partnership

Low participation in work A third of people with disabilities have a job v. three quarters of others (Census 2006) 60% of people with disabilities not working are restricted in type or amount of work they can do Raising employment rates will mean more emphasis on supporting people to get and to keep work

Employment and disability Census 2006

Highest level of education achieved Age 24 who have completed education (Census 2006)

Employment rates, disabled and other men by education level (age 25-34; Census 2002)

Difficulty in types or amount of work people with long-term illness or disability QNHS 2002

National Disability Strategy Employment and disability commitments Develop a comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities Numerical targets for increased employment Develop and enhance FÁS supported employment programme Cross-departmental co-operation across Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Health; Social and Family Affairs Specific commitments to enhance supported employment; to bridge between HSE and mainstream training; systematic process of engagement with people with disabilities to establish employment aspirations 3% target mandatory under Part 5 Disability Act

National Disability Strategy Targets Employment and disability Sectoral Plan 7,000 more in work by 2010 National Development Plan - 2016 participation in education, training and employment up 50% proportion at work up from 37% to 45% (QNHS)

Comprehensive employment strategy NDA report - Key pillars Make work pay, remove benefit traps Equip pwd to compete in labour market now and future Enlist public and private sector employers Prevent flow into inactivity School leavers People acquiring a disability Systematic process of engagement Comprehensive across individuals and levels of ability

Supported employment Almost 4% of workers with a disability Two separate state-funded arrangements FÁS scheme In principle 18+ hours a week c. 900 in work; 1,100 in job assessment/job search phases HSE-funded supported employment Less than 18 hours a week c.1,000 receiving HSE or service provider job coach support

Joined-up thinking HSE review of Adult Day Services Decline in sheltered workshop nos. – opportunity for alternative forms of employment support Review of ETE Supported Employment programme Earnings disregard of 50% over €120 a week Social Welfare developments Commitment in Government programme on medical card continuation Importance of dovetailing changes in HSE, ETE and social welfare Less rigid conditions for FÁS support may allow more opportunities under FÁS rather than HSE umbrella

Part 5 Disability Act Legal obligations on public bodies to Promote and support employment of people with disabilities Achieve 3% target of employees with a disability People with ID under-represented in the public service relative to other employments Good models of partnership with local disability services and supported employment consortia could be built on Small bodies that find it hardest to reach 3% could use supported employment work experience placements

Conclusion Lots happening in employment/disability policy Opportunity for partnerships and joined-up thinking Supported employment partnerships with both public and private sectors