Information

There is a range of employment supports for people with disabilities to help with getting a job and staying in employment. The Department of Social Protection provides these supports through local employment services offices and Intreo centres.

Vocational training is provided by SOLAS.

The Department of Health has responsibility for rehabilitative training (training that is not linked to the labour force) and sheltered work. Responsibility for the delivery of these services rests with the Health Service Executive (HSE). Rehabilitative training and sheltered work is provided largely in:

• Accredited training centres that are run by the HSE or by service providers contracted by the HSE and
• Designated sheltered workshops

Rehabilitative training focuses on the development of life skills, social skills and basic work skills with the objective of enhancing the trainee's quality of life and general work capacity.

The HSE has appointed Directors of Disability Services who are responsible, among other things, for the delivery of rehabilitative training services. The HSE has teams of guidance counsellors who offer information, advice and guidance on HSE training and sheltered work services.

The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) has published a leaflet for school leavers with information on rehabilitative training options (pdf).

Sheltered workshops