Work and Access Programme
What is Work and Access?
The new Work and Access employment programme offers various supports to help people with disabilities find or keep a job.
The programme aims to remove or reduce workplace barriers and help employers provide reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of employees and job applicants with disabilities (known as reasonable accommodation).
Programme background
The Work and Access Programme replaces the Department of Social Protection’s Reasonable Accommodation Fund and the Disability Awareness Support Scheme.
Who can apply?
An employee, employer or a self-employed person can apply for Work and Access supports. The eligibility criteria are set out below.
Individuals
To qualify, you must:
- Be over 18 and within the legal working age
- Have the right to work in Ireland
- Be working or looking for work in the Republic of Ireland, excluding work in the public sector
- Have a disability or health condition expected to last longer than 12 months, with professional evidence or qualifying for long-term disability payments
Work status
You must be either:
- Working full-time or part-time (at least 8 hours a week or 32 hours a month)
- Self-employed
- On work experience, internship, or apprenticeship (at least 6 months)
- Holding a job offer or interview confirmation
Employers or self-employed people
Employers
Employers eligible for the Work and Access Programme include those in the private sector, community and voluntary sectors, and not-for-profit organisations.
Specific conditions may apply based on the type of support you are requesting.
Self-employed people
Self-employed people can also qualify. You are considered self-employed if you:
- Run your own business alone or with a partner
- Work for someone under a self-employed contract
- Run a franchised business as a self-employed person
Some other specific qualifying criteria apply (see Appendix 2 of the Operational Guidelines).
Tax compliance
Employers or self-employed people must provide a tax clearance access number (TCAN). They must be a legal entity or a charity (or both) recognised by Revenue.
Supports available
The following financial supports are available through the Work and Access programme. You can apply for one or more support at the same time, depending on your needs.
|
Grant |
Who can apply |
What you get |
|
Employer, employee, self-employed person |
Up to €2,500 to hire a specialist to assess workplace needs. Up to 10 hours of communication support if needed (for example an interpreter). |
|
|
Employer, employee, self-employed person, job candidate |
Support around an interview: 1hour for interview preparation. 3-hours for the interview. Job induction support: Up to 12 hours in the first 12 months. In-work support: Up to 24 hours a year. |
|
|
Employee, self-employed person |
Up to €12,500 a year to hire a specialist support worker. Up to 30 hours of communication support (for example an interpreter) if needed. Must have a workplace needs assessment first. |
|
|
Employee, self-employed person |
Up to €12,500 a year for help with work-related reading. Workplace needs assessment may be needed for in-work support, but not for recruitment. |
|
|
Employee, self-employed person |
Up to €12,000 for assistive equipment or technology for business premises or remote or self-employed premises. Includes training if needed. Workplace needs assessment may be needed. |
|
|
Employer, self-employed person |
Up to €25,000 for adapting equipment, technology, or business premises (not a home). May need an employee's workplace needs assessment to apply. |
|
|
Employer |
Up to €20,000 a year for training costs. Covers 90% of costs for certified courses and 80% for non-certified courses. |
How to apply
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) is developing an online application process, which will be available soon.
In the meantime, follow the process below.
Individuals
To apply for any of the supports available through the Work and Access Programme, follow these steps:
Step 1: Complete the application form
- Request the form from your local Intreo Office or download it from gov.ie.
- If you are unsure about the support needed, you only complete the relevant section on the WA1 Form.
- Provide quotes to support your application (see Quotes in Appendix 6 of the Operational Guidelines).
Step 2: Eligibility check
- Send your completed WA1 Form by post to Work and Access Section, Central Team, Finglas Intreo Centre, PO Box 13736, Freepost FDN7696, Dublin 11
- Your eligibility will be checked by the Work and Access Section
Step 3: Assessment and approval
- An officer will contact you directly to discuss your application.
- If eligible, you will be told about the next steps and any additional sections of the application form to complete.
- Approval for eligibility does not guarantee funding.
- Final approval will be made after you meet specific requirements set by Department officers.
Employers
To apply for the Work and Access Programme as an employer, follow these steps:
Step 1: Complete the application form
- Request the form from your local Intreo Office or download it from gov.ie.
- Complete the WA2 Form.
Step 2: Submission and support details
- Send your completed WA2 Form by post to Work and Access Section, Central Team, Finglas Intreo Centre, PO Box 13736, Freepost FDN7696, Dublin 11
Step 3: Assessment and processing
- A designated Employer Relations Officer (ERO) will manage your application.
- You will be contacted directly to discuss available options and necessary documents.
- Final approval is required before purchasing any support.
- Applications submitted after purchasing supports cannot be processed or paid.
Appeals
Work and Access is an administrative scheme, so you have no right to appeal a particular decision on your application.
If you are unhappy with the decision, you can ask to have your case reviewed by another DSP officer who was not involved in the original decision.
Write to the Department of Social Protection within 21 days of the decision, explaining why you think the decision is wrong and provide any proof you have to support your argument.
More information
For more information about the Work and Access programme:
- Read the Department of Social Protection Operational Guidelines for the Work and Access Programme
- Visit your local Intreo Centre
- Email: WorkandAccess@welfare.ie
- Write to: Work and Access Section, Central Team, Finglas Intreo Centre, PO Box 13736, Freepost FDN7696, Dublin 11