FAS Wage Subsidy Scheme

The FÁS Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ disabled people who work more than 20 hours per week.

Wage Subsidy Scheme The FÁS Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) provides financial incentives to employers, outside the public sector, to employ disabled people who work more than 20 hours per week. A person on the Wage Subsidy Scheme is subject to the same conditions of employment as other employees. These conditions include PRSI contributions, annual leave, tax deductions and the going rate for the job. How does it work? The subsidies are structured under three separate Strands and Employers can benefit under one or all, simultaneously. • Strand 1 This is the wage subsidy payment. Where it is agreed that a disabled employee has a productivity level between 50% - 80% of normal work performance, a maximum subsidy up to €8,639 annum is provided. If it is agreed that the disabled employee has a productivity level below 50% of normal work performance a maximum subsidy up to €10,748 per annum is provided. The amount of the subsidy will vary depending on the number of hours per week the disabled employee is employed. • Strand 2 Where a company employs more than two disabled people, they can avail of a grant to cover additional supervisory, management and other work based costs. This top-up is based on the overall number of disabled employees employed and will range on a sliding scale from an additional 10% of wage subsidy for 3 to 6 disabled employees to a maximum of 50% of wage subsidy for 23+ disabled employees. • Strand 3 An employer who employs 30 or more disabled employees can avail of a grant of €30,000 per annum towards the expense of employing an Employment Assistance Officer. How to Apply • The employer contacts their local FÁS Employment Services Office and obtains a WSS application form. • FÁS, the employer and employee agree the wage subsidy to be paid following the first month of employment. • The employer pays the going rate for the job, as per any other employee. Further information If you are a disabled person or an employer and you need further information, contact your local FÁS Employment Services Office or Local Employment Services (LES) office. Information is also available on the FÁS website at www.fas.ie (See ‘Contact FAS’ for details of your local FAS Employment Services Office). Last Updated 02/07/2007 Note: Dept. of Social and Family Affairs’ Back to Work Allowance(BTWA). Employees who qualify for Back to Work Allowance may avail of this scheme when returning to work. Further information on this scheme, including qualifying criteria, is available from your local Department of Social and Family Affairs Office.

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