Final Review of Progress under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (2015-2024)

To conduct the review, a number of methods were adopted:

• A suite of indicators developed to monitor progress under the CES was examined a final time.

• Annual, independent assessment reports on the CES developed by the NDA were reviewed.

• Views on key achievements of the strategy and on areas requiring further focus and development were sought from key stakeholders.

• Findings from previous NDA and DCEDIY engagement with disabled people that related to employment and held during the lifetime of the CES were drawn on.

The review showed that, over the lifetime of the CES, a number of positive developments were realised across a range of areas, including in education and skill development and in relation to some employment supports. However, several gaps and challenges were found to remain, including in relation to the persistent disability employment gap in Ireland, unresolved issues in making work pay, limitations in relation to appropriate career guidance for some learners with disabilities, gaps in supported employment, and issues with strategy coordination and implementation. Learnings for future national strategies that include a focus on the employment of disabled people are included in the report.