Employment Schemes
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-19
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Malcolm Byrne (FF), Wicklow-Wexford

I strongly the support the question raised by my colleague. It is critical that we enhance opportunities for those with a disability. I particularly encourage a further examination of the wage subsidy scheme. The Government made a significant increase in the context of budget 2026. Although it does not come into effect until the beginning of April, it could be considered in the budgetary process for 2027. For instance, a company like Murphy Furniture based in Tinahely, which has a number of stores operating right throughout south Leinster, employs a significant number of people with intellectual disabilities and who are neurodivergent. It is a challenge because companies have to adapt their operations in some of those cases. Something like the wage subsidy scheme is critical but there are costs involved. In the context of the budgetary discussions with the Department of Social Protection, I encourage the Minister of State to address this as well.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-19