Campaign underway to come up with 100 jobs for people with disabilities

Galway businesses have come together to support a campaign to provide at least 100 jobs before the end of the year for people with disabilities.

The #100jobs campaign is being driven by EmployAbility Galway, which is based in Galway Technology Centre in Mervue are funded by Department of Social Protection to support job seekers with disabilities and employers in Galway.

And they are looking for Galway City and County employers to support their goal of placing 100 people with disabilities in employment for 2016, to mark the 1916 centenary.

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, EmployAbility Galway Coordinator Pauline O’Dwyer said that this vision mirrored one of the fundamental pillars and commitments of the Proclamation itself.

“The Republic guarantees . . . equal rights and equal opportunities of all its citizens, and declares its resolve to pursue the happiness and prosperity of the whole nation and of all its parts,” she quoted from the Proclamation.

“In reality, work is one of the main providers of equal opportunity in our society, as it empowers people through financial independence, professional and personal growth,” she added.

Muintearas CEO and EmployAbility Galway Patron Sean O Choistealbha spoke to the attendees about his own experience of recruiting staff from EmployAbility Galway and the beginnings of his relationship with the organisation.

Sean spoke about how this led him to coming on board as Patron to encourage other employers to hire more people with disabilities.

“Hiring staff from EmployAbility Galway has been an enriching and rewarding experience for both our employees, and Muintearas as a company, and I would encourage any employer to avail of the opportunity to pledge a job for the #100jobs campaign,” he said.

“There has been a positive trend each year for the last two years, and we would really love the make the centenary of 1916 a year to remember in terms of employment opportunities for job seekers with disabilities in Galway City and County”, said EmployAbility Galway Chairperson Ann Loughney.

“The team have really worked hard throughout the City and County to help employers understand the skills and abilities our clients can bring to the workplace” she added.

Ann outlined the employer subsidies and grants made available to employers by Department of Social Protection which support inclusive employment.

“The Department of Social Protection who fund the company have gone through a lot of changes, and their new and improved Intreo services work hand in hand with ourselves to provide the best possible combined service to job seekers with disabilities in Galway City and County,” said Ann

This year so far EmployAbility Galway have supported over 50 clients in Galway City and County to achieve their employment goals and are calling on Galway City and County employers to pledge them 100 jobs for 2016.

You can pledge a job online directly at www.employabilitygalway.ie