Work and Income

a. Making a Living

You have the same right to a job and promotion as anybody else if you have the right qualifications, training or experience.

In law, there is now a target of 3% for the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector. The National Disability Authority will check on how well the target is being reached.

In addition, the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment's Sectoral Plan sets out an action plan to raise the number of people with disabilities at work.

FÁS offers special training and help with finding jobs for people with disabilities. FÁS can make it easier for employers to take on staff with a disability. There are wage subsidies and grants to help keep a worker with a disability in a job and to make the workplace more accessible.

The Employment Equality Acts also prohibit discrimination (with exemptions) in employment and vocational training.

Want Information On:

  • The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment's Sectoral Plan?

    www.entemp.ie
    Email: info@entemp.ie
    Lo call: 1890 220 222
    Address: Kildare Street, Dublin 2.

  • Employment Equality Acts (1998 - 2004)?

    Contact the Equality Authority.
    www.equality.ie
    Email: info@equality.ie
    Lo call: 1890 245 545
    Address: 2 Clonmel Street, Dublin 2.

  • FÁS Services?

    www.fas.ie
    Email: info@fas.ie
    Tel: (01) 607 0500
    Address: P.O. Box 456, 27-33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4.

b. Social Welfare

If you are on social welfare and you are available for work, you may contact your local Social Welfare Office where a facilitator may be able to advise you with training, education or getting a job.

If you are on Disability Allowance, you may earn up to €120 a week from rehabilitative work without affecting your Disability Allowance. You can also earn up to €400 a week and still keep some of your payment and other benefits.

If you are in residential care, you can get a Disability Allowance.

The Carer's Allowance is a payment for people who look after others in need of full-time care and attention. If you leave the workforce to care for somebody, you may qualify for Carer's Benefit instead of Carer's Allowance.

The Respite Care Grant goes automatically to everyone who receives the Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit. Since 2005, this grant has gone to all full-time carers, no matter what their means or contribution record. It is, however, subject to certain conditions relating mainly to the type of full-time care and attention provided.

Want Information On:

  • The Department of Social and Family Affairs' Sectoral Plan or any area of social welfare?

    www.welfare.ie
    Email: info@welfare.ie
    Lo call: 1890 662 244
    Address: Floor 1, Social Welfare Services Office, College Road, Sligo.


Back to top