Wage Subsidy Scheme 'not up to scratch' says Louth's Ó Murchú

The Wage Subsidy Scheme, which gives financial assistance to employers hiring people with disabilities is "not up to scratch" as numbers involved in the scheme have dropped, Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has told the Dáil.

Deputy Ó Murchú, who is Sinn Féin's spokesperson on disabilities, quizzed Social Protection minister Dara Calleary last week about the Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS), and said he has spoken many times in the past with Minister Calleary about the drop in the number of those who are employed by it over the past number of years and the employers taking it up. 

Deputy Ó Murchú said that while the scheme has been reviewed, he did not think "a proper job has been done in relation to what needs to be delivered".

He acknowledged that Minister Calleary had corresponded with him about issues he had raised from employers such as the Rehab Group, Mr Price and others who employ a number of those with disabilities. 

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “They believe the WSS is not up to scratch at the minute. We need to see greater participation in EmployAbility and WorkAbility schemes.

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“We also need to see reasonable accommodation funding, as in work and access. It needs to be fit for purpose. At this point in time, it is not in relation to those who need assistive technologies or the employer or whoever must go through the administrative burden. It is too much at the moment”.

In response, Minister Calleary said changes have been made to the WSS, and, at the end of November, there were 1,550 employers and 2,615 employees participating. 

He said: “I have made administrative changes, in particular in terms of centralising the decision-making process in this so that it is quicker. In terms of work and access, I am making changes in relation to adaptive technology so that we can support it. 

“Deputy Ó Murchú has engaged with me on this a number of times and we are making changes to support employers who use assistive technology. It gives many more opportunities. 

“We have changed the rates and we continue to review the rates and their impact. We will do a number of themed disability employment events throughout 2026 to encourage employers to offer opportunities to those with a disability across the country”.