Wage Subsidy Scheme-partnerships that make a difference

On 4th June 2025, Festina Lente were invited as special guests of Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister Dara Calleary as part of the Department of Social Protections’ launch of the reformed Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS) designed to support more disabled people into employment. In his opening address, Taoiseach Micheál Martin emphasised “supports such as this revised Wage Subsidy Scheme recognise that the perspective, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities across society add immeasurably to the quality, the richness and the diversity of all our lives.”

Festina Lente’s’ CEO Dr Jill Carey shared “my whole career has been dedicated to working with people with disabilities and I have to say that this is the first time in all my years that I have seen such an evident statement from the government in terms of their commitment in working towards improving as many things as possible for people with disabilities so from the very depths of my heart thank you very much and on behalf of everyone else thank you it means so much. Our organisation is dedicated to the employment of people with additional needs and the Wage Subsidy Scheme has been tremendously important in allowing us to further our objectives, it is a very positive acknowledgement of the value of people with disability in the workplace.”

A very valued staff member of our Festina Lente team, Amy Gannon who is employed as part of the Wage Subsidy Scheme also spoke at the event about the additional supports that are provided by Festina Lente to help on a daily basis “we have our meetings, everything is written on the board and we can go to Tara about anything”.  When asked was there anything Amy would like to change about her job in Festina, Amy   emphatically responded ‘NO”!

A great event which served as an even greater reminder of the importance of these government programmes focused on helping more disabled people to join the workforce.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister Dara Calleary launch reformed Wage Subsidy Scheme