Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides employment supports and services to jobseekers and employers through the Intreo Employment Service. Intreo offers a wide range of supports to assist jobseekers, including those with a disability, to find work.

In July 2022, an early engagement process was introduced, the process was targeted initially at young jobseekers with disabilities. Disability Allowance (DA) recipients aged between 18 and 25 received a letter informing them of the Intreo Employment Service and inviting them to meet with a Designated Disability Employment Personal Advisors. Early engagement is now focused on contacting those people who are in receipt of DA for six months or more. To date in the region of 30,000 people were contacted by Intreo under early engagement.

Engagement with the service is voluntary but where a person wishes to participate they will receive an individualised, case managed employment service from an Employment Personal Adviser. The service is personalised to the needs of the jobseeker and provided in Intreo centres nationwide. The Employment Personal Adviser discuss education and training options, job and work placement opportunities and access to supports such as the Work and Access Scheme, Jobsplus and the Employability service as appropriate.

While this engagement is targeted to recipients of Disability Allowance, any person who wishes to avail of employment supports and services can contact their local Intreo Centre.

I trust this clarifies the matter.