The Government must draw up an employment strategy to get more jobs for people with disabilities, it was claimed tonight.
A National Disability Authority (NDA) report today found that just 37 per cent of disabled people were in work in 2004, compared to 67 per cent of other adults.
Unions umbrella body, ICTU said it was time for meaningful engagement between Government, employers, unions and people with disabilities, to fashion and implement a comprehensive new Employment Strategy.
"The state must take a central role and make greater efforts to raise the level of education and training among people with disabilities," said an Ictu spokesperson.
"Secondary schools must get equivalent funding so that disabled students remain in school. FAS and other agencies must make greater efforts to train people for work, particularly as successive budgets show a consistent underspend in respect of people with disabilities."
Ictu also called for a bigger effort from public and private employers to achieve the recommended 3 per cent employment target.
The Strategy of Engagement — Towards a Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities report from the NDA recommended that disabled people should get a special tax credit and be allowed to retain medical cards for one year after they find a job.