Work and Access - Communication Support Grant

Work and Access is a scheme to support inclusive employment by offering funding to adjust workplaces and make them more accessible for people with disabilities.

Funding is available to qualifying job candidates, employees, self-employed people, and employers.

There are 7 categories of Work and Access support:

• Workplace Needs Assessment
• Communication Support
• In-Work Support
• Personal Reader
• Work Equipment
• Workplace Adaptation
• Disability Equality and Inclusion Training

This page explains the Communication Support Grant Grant. Depending on your needs, you may be entitled to more than one support at the same time.  Check the Work and Access Programme details in full before you apply for any support.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, have a speech impairment or another disability that requires communication support, you can apply for funding to pay for an interpreter under the Communication Support Grant.

The funding covers communication assistance during job interviews, job inductions, in-work meetings, or performance reviews.

The Communication Support grant is only available to assist with jobs in the private sector. If you have a public sector job or interview, it is up to the organisation to interview or employ you to provide an interpreter.

Employees, job candidates, employers and self-employed people can apply for funding. You can make the application yourself or someone else can apply on your behalf.

How to qualify

To qualify for communication support, you must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be deaf or hard of hearing, needing an Irish Sign Language interpreter, lip-speaker, or other deaf interpreter.
• Have a disability or health condition that requires communication support.

You must also meet the general eligibility criteria for the Work and Access programme.

You can apply for funding for communication support in the areas below. You can apply for all the support available.

Support around an interview

• 1 hour for familiarisation and interview preparation
• 3 hours for interpreter support during the interview itself

Applications for interview support should be processed quickly because interview notices are often short, and it can be difficult to find interpreters quickly.

You can apply for support for as many interviews as you like.

Job induction support

• Up to 12 hours of interpreter support for job induction during the first 12 months of your new job, for example, reviews.

In-work communication support

• Up to 24 hours of interpreter support over a 12-month rolling period
• 10 hours of communication support for a workplace needs assessment
• Up to 30 hours of communication support, if recommended by a workplace needs assessment

The interpreter, lip-speaker, or communication support worker can provide services either in person or remotely. If possible, your preferred format should be accommodated.

The job candidate, employee, or advocate must find a qualified interpreter, lip-speaker, or communication support worker.

Providers must be either:

• Registered as an Irish Sign Language interpreter with the Register of Irish Sign Language Interpreters (risli.ie)
• Registered with a recognised interpreter service in Ireland

Providers must also be tax-compliant and provide a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) or a Tax Clearance Access Number (TCAN). Make sure the interpreter understands these requirements before you hire them.

If you do not already have an interpreter, the Sign Language Interpreting Service can help you find a professional interpreter.

The grant amount depends on the interpreter’s qualifications and experience.

If you hire an interpreter through an agency, the payment usually goes to the agency rather than directly to the interpreter.

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) is developing an online application process, which will be available soon.

In the meantime, follow the process below.

Individuals

To apply for any of the supports available through the Work and Access Programme, follow these steps:

Step 1: Complete the application form

• Request the form from your local Intreo Office or download it from gov.ie.
• If you are unsure about the support needed, you only complete the relevant section on the WA1 Form.
• Provide quotes to support your application (see Quotes in Appendix 6 of the Operational Guidelines).

Step 2: Eligibility check

• Send your completed WA1 Form by post to Work and Access Section, Central Team, Finglas Intreo Centre, PO Box 13736, Freepost FDN7696, Dublin 11.
• Your eligibility will be checked by the Work and Access Section.

Step 3: Assessment and approval

• An officer will contact you directly to discuss your application.
• If eligible, you will be told about the next steps and any additional sections of the application form to complete.
• Approval for eligibility does not guarantee funding.
• Final approval will be made after you meet specific requirements set by Department officers.

Employers

To apply for the Work and Access Programme as an employer, follow these steps:

Step 1: Complete the application form

• Request the form from your local Intreo Office or download it from gov.ie.
• Complete the WA2 Form.

Step 2: Submission and support details

• Send your completed WA2 Form by post to Work and Access Section, Central Team, Finglas Intreo Centre, PO Box 13736, Freepost FDN7696, Dublin 11.

Step 3: Assessment and processing

• A designated Employer Relations Officer (ERO) will manage your application.
• You will be contacted directly to discuss available options and necessary documents.
• Final approval is required before purchasing any support.
• Applications submitted after purchasing supports cannot be processed or paid.

Appeals

Work and Access is an administrative scheme, so you have no right to appeal a particular decision on your application.

If you are unhappy with the decision, you can ask to have your case reviewed by another DSP officer who was not involved in the original decision.

Write to the Department of Social Protection within 21 days of the decision, explaining why you think the decision is wrong and provide any proof you have to support your argument.

For more information about the Work and Access programme:

• Read the Department of Social Protection Operational Guidelines for the Work and Access Programme
• Visit your local Intreo Centre
• Email: WorkandAccess@welfare.ie
• Write to: Work and Access Section, Central Team, Finglas Intreo Centre, PO Box 13736, Freepost FDN7696, Dublin 11