McAnaney, Donal

Young people with disabilities or health problems face particular difficulties in accessing employment. Active inclusion policy is seen as the most appropriate policy instrument for combating the exclusion of these young people from the labour market. This study examines the implementation of active inclusion policy at national level in 11 EU Member States. The study reviews policy in these countries and compiles information from 44 case studies of good practice among diverse and innovative service providers. The study concludes that policy and practice need to focus more keenly on these young people, to learn from available evidence, and to take a more joined-up approach to service delivery.

The disability policy of the Irish Government has undergone radical change in the past decade, and is still changing. Underlying this transformation has been a change in philosophy towards mainstreaming in relation to all services for people with disabilities, especially in the fields of education, training, welfare and employment. There has also been a commitment to reorganise and improve services with a view to meeting this goal of mainstreaming, but the recent recession has reduced the resources available for upgrading services. In addition, a major reorganisation is taking place in the State Training and Employment Agency (FÁS), the final outcome of which is not yet clear.

This report reviews the evidence to support the contention that increasing numbers of young people (16 - 34 years) are entering the disability benefits system. It attempts to place this evidence within the context of the many factors that are known to influence the economic activity and labour market participation of young people with disabilities. The study also aims to document any measures targeted at young people with health problems to promote labour market inclusion and the ways in which these systems operate and interact. It makes specific reference to active inclusion measures, including the role of social, health and employment services, as well as educational systems and social partners.

The number of people on long-term disability benefits in Europe is rising and this group is particularly at risk of social exclusion. Although many of those away from work for a long period due to illness or injury would like to rejoin the workforce, very few actually do so in practice. This situation means that potential workers are absent from the labour market and there is pressure on social security systems. One of the key strategies for reversing this trend and helping long-term benefit claimants to return to work is a system of effective employment guidance and counselling services. By looking at case studies in 10 Member States, this report identifies examples of good practice in employment services for people who have become disability claimants in the course of their working lives. It concludes that there is overall a lack of awareness of the specific needs of people on longterm disability benefits and a need for a wider range of initiatives specially targeted at this group.

The situation of people who are absent from work for a long period due to illness or injury and who have become long term disability claimants during their working lives constitutes an issue that is often ignored or absent from political discourse. This heterogeneous group of people is important because it consists predominantly of older workers, generally not supported by services that could assist in their return to work. If the targets of the European labour market are to be met with regard to the employment of older workers, these people should constitute a major target group for reintegration into the workforce.

This study examines social exclusion through illness, specifically the processes whereby people who develop chronic illnesses are excluded from the workforce. The study addresses this knowledge gap by gathering information on relevant initiatives in seven Member States.

This report examines social exclusion through illness, specifically the processes whereby people who develop chronic illnesses are excluded from the workforce. It proposes a new model for understanding the nature of this problem, it develops an assessment tool for new initiatives in the area and makes recommendations on how best to promote social inclusion for people with chronic illnesses. The report addresses this knowledge gap by gathering information on relevant initiatives in seven Member States.