Comprehensive Employment Strategy Provides Real Targets & Real Goals For People With A Disability - Moran

Senator Mary Moran with Minister Frances Fitzgerald & Minister Aodhan Ó Ríordáin

I attended the launch today of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) at Farmleigh House with Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald TD and Minister of State for Equality, New Communities, Culture & Drugs Strategy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD.

The introduction of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy is something I have consistently worked with my ministerial colleagues on for some time.  I strongly welcome the introduction and launch of the strategy today.

The strategy seeks to address the difficulties experienced by people with a disability when it comes to accessing and maintaining employment.  The six strategic CES priorities include:

• Build skills, capacity and independence
• Provide bridges and supports into work
• Make work pay
• Promote job retention and re-entry to work
• Provide coordinated and seamless support
• Engage employers

I have been very focused in bringing the strategy forward to this point over the last number of months and will now turn my focus to the successful implementation of the actions outlined.  We must ensure that these very important priorities and actions are progressed for people with a disability in order to provide needed increased accessibility to not only the workforce but to society.