New 10-year employment strategy for people with disabilities launched

Agencies and the public are being urged to support the new 10-year employment strategy for people with disabilities.

Among the six points of the plan, launched by the Government today, are to engage employers, provide support, build skills and independence.

The proportion of people with disabilities, employed in the public service, will be doubled from 3% to 6%.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny launched the strategy this morning.

“It is a strategic approach, with a specific plan, to make sure that any man or woman who lives with a disability and who wants to work can do so, because they will be supported to do so,” Mr Kenny said.

“For the strategy to be as successful as possible it is not only about Government support but also about agency and public buy-in.”

The Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD and the Minister of State for New Communities, Culture, Equality and Drugs Strategy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin have welcomed the launch of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.

Minister Fitzgerald said "The plan maps a way forward for people with disabilities to participate more fully in society and also to live more independently. The objective is to create an environment that is accessible to everybody, regardless of ability or disability."

"The task ahead is to build on the work that has been done in preparing this Strategy and to see it through to full implementation,"Minister Ó Ríordáin said.

"This will require effort on the part of a wide range of organisations. I have arranged for the establishment of a group to oversee the implementation of the Strategy which will be chaired by Mr Fergus Finlay.

"This group will monitor the progress of the six strategic priorities of the Strategy ensuring that each Government Department is fulfilling its obligations and meeting any necessary targets."