Funding awarded for Cavan disability work programme

Over €7.5 million has been allocated to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities

More than €12,000 has been allocated to Breffni Integrated aimed at encouraging persons with disabilities to explore employment opportunities by starting up their own businesses.

The package is a key part of Government’s new ‘Pathways to Work’ Strategy, and was unveiled by

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys on Friday.

Funding will be provided to the successful projects from 1st September 2021 to 30th December 2022.

Over this period the various projects aim to work directly with approximately 2,284 participants.

The €12,100 allocated to Breffni Integrated will be used to provide one-to-one mentoring support, which its hoped will enable each participant to release their ambition of owning and running their own business. Funding will also be used to provide necessary equipment, which will ensure participants are equipped with the necessary technology to avail of training.

On approving the recommended 45 projects, Minister Humphreys commented: “I am delighted to announce this new package of funding which is designed to support people with disabilities into employment or self-employment.

“The past 17 months have been very challenging for so many of our citizens, no more than people with disabilities.”

As Minister, she said she is “determined” to support people with disabilities “in every way I can – whether it’s helping them up-skill or arming them with the supports necessary to achieve their ambition to set up their own business or social enterprise.

“I know that this funding will be very important in supporting people with disabilities right across the country to avail of employment opportunities that they have always aspired to reach.”

The Minister added: “As Minister for Social Protection I have seen first-hand what people with disabilities can achieve in a work environment and the positive impact that this has had on them and their co-workers.”

The funding is part of the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2021 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection in conjunction with Pobal.

The 45 successful projects will support people with disabilities to access employment/self-employment, improve their career progression opportunities “in work” and improve their employment outcomes through education and training which will contribute to participants being “work ready”.

Projects will also support potential employers to provide employment for people with a disability.