1972. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will establish a unit within his Department to deal specifically with disability and self-employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56008/26]

Supporting disabled people is a key priority for me and for the Government.  My Department has many schemes and supports for disabled self-employed people.  These include mainstream supports that are available to disabled people and supports that are specifically designed for disabled people.

There is now a Dedicated Disability Employment Personal Advisors in each of the 62 Intreo offices around the country.  Disabled people who wish to start their own business or become self-employed can speak to these officers about their options and next steps.

The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme has been designed to support persons, including disabled people, to take up self-employment opportunities.  It allows a person to retain 100% of their payment in year one and 75% in year two, including any increases for a qualified adult, or a child support payment.  A person may also be able to avail of the Enterprise Support Grant, up to €2,500 additional financial support for people who have set up a new business and are receiving income support under the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance.

The Work and Access scheme offers seven supports to reduce the barriers disabled people can face in the workplace.  These supports include work coaches, workplace adaptation, equipment, and training.  These supports have been improved in recent years and are now available to the self-employed, employers and employees for both remote and business premises.

Many of my Department’s disability-related schemes have been structured to support recipients to pursue employment opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment.

A person in receipt of Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who pursues employment or self-employment can avail of an income disregard of €165 per week.  As a result, a person can earn up to €527.20 a week and keep a portion of their payment and retain their Department of Social Protection secondary benefits.

The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme allows a person who is in receipt of Illness Benefit for more than six months, or Invalidity Pension to enter or return to employment or self-employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment.  Partial Capacity Benefit has also been designed so that there are no restrictions or limits on earnings or on the number of hours a person can work.

The Programme for Government commits to work with employers and across Government to improve employment of people with disabilities and ensure that supports for entrepreneurs and enterprise are accessible to all, including disabled people.

Together with the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment, I am the co-lead on the Employment Pillar of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.  It includes a range of commitments to support disabled people to take up and remain in work.  There is a joint commitment for our two Departments to develop a communications campaign to raise awareness surrounding all the employment supports available for disabled people.  This is currently being developed.

In addition, the Strategy includes a commitment for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to promote inclusion and accessibility in entrepreneurship for disabled people through the Local Enterprise Offices.

Furthermore, Local Enterprise Offices have adapted the content and method of delivery of programmes to suit the needs of different groups in consultation with representative bodies.  Disability awareness training for the staff of the Local Enterprise Offices will be ongoing throughout the lifetime of the strategy.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.