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McLoughlin welcomes expansion of Disability Activation Project

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton, TD, who was in Sligo today (25th October, 2012) announced funding of just over €7 million for a range of 14 projects under the Disability Activation Project (DACT).

Deputy Tony Mc Loughlin as the local Government TD welcomed Minister Burton to Sligo at the employer road show event, where she outlined the extensive range of services and supports available to assist employers in growing their businesses and supporting their workforce through engagement with the Department of Social Protection (DSP). The extensive range of supports embraces specific measures to assist people with disabilities to avail of employment opportunities and includes the Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Workplace Adaptation Grant Scheme.

The DACT Project is jointly funded by the European Social Fund and the Department of Social Protection and it is targeted at the Borders, Midlands and Western regions. There are four strands to the Project as follows:

Strand 1 – Improving Access to Employment
Strand 2 – Progression Programmes for Young People
Strand 3 – Support for Progression and Retention of People with an Acquired Disability
Strand 4 – Innovative Employer Initiatives

Following a call for proposals inviting organisations that have experience of working with people with a disability to submit projects for funding, 35 applications underwent a rigorous appraisal process carried out by Pobal who are managing the DACT project on behalf of the Department of Social Protection. Ultimately, 14 proposals were selected for funding.

Referring to Strand 4 of the DACT, the Minister stated: “Three of the selected projects - to be run by the National Learning Network, the Irish Association of Supported Employment and Monaghan Integrated Development Ltd. - will focus specifically on how best to establish links between employers and people with disabilities. The projects will continue until early 2015 and will be most helpful in learning how best to ensure that people with disabilities can avail of progression, education and development opportunities. ”

Deputy Mc Loughlin welcomed the Minister’s commitment to supporting people with disability to participate more fully in society and to become more self-sufficient by providing supports that address barriers that they may face. The range of innovative projects which we are financing with the support of the European Social Fund will enable us to learn how best to address these barriers.”

“In conclusion I want to warmly welcome the funding allocation of €447 to Sligo Leader Partnership towards Community based mentoring and employment supports service (personalised progression plans and case management) for and by people with disabilities”.