Work and Access - Workplace Adaptation 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 Workplace Adaptation 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.

The Workplace Adaptation Grant helps employers and self-employed people make necessary changes to their workplace for an employee or future employee with a disability.

The grant of up to €25,000 covers making changes to

• Equipment
• Technology
• The business premises
• Remote working premises

If the employee works at home, you should apply for the Housing Adaptation Grant.

The grant is available to:

• Employers in the private sector, community and voluntary sectors and not-for-profit organisations
• Self-employed people

To apply, there must be a Workplace Needs Assessment to show need for workplace adaptations and decide what specific adaptations are needed. The employee should support the application.

The grant can be used towards the cost of adapting equipment, technology or the workplace.

Examples include:

• Adaptations to furniture
• Installing ramps, lifts, washing facilities or alarm systems with flashing lights
• Modifying toilets
• Widening doors

What the grant cannot be used for

The grant cannot be used to:

• Buy equipment or adaptations usually provided by employers
• Buy equipment or adaptations required by law, such as building regulations on accessing premises, sanitary facilities and parking
• Cover the usual costs of setting up or running a business
• Fund adaptations to their home even, if it is the employee’s primary workplace – these should be covered under the Housing Adaptation Grant

The maximum grant amount is €25,000.

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

To apply, there must be a Workplace Needs Assessment to demonstrate the need for workplace adaptations and determine the specific adaptations needed. The employee should support the application.

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.

Quotes

Your application must include invoices or quotes for any adaptations to ensure the best, most cost-effective option is chosen.

How many quotations are needed?

Number of quotations needed:

• Under €700: 1 quotation
• €700 to €1,500: 2 quotations
• Over €1,500: 3 quotations

If getting multiple quotes is not possible, you must provide a reason (for example, a shortage of qualified specialists).

You only need to state the most cost-effective recommendation.

Sourcing the adaptations

Employers are responsible for sourcing the necessary adaptations themselves. When the application is approved, the employer can source and purchase the approved adaptation and then request the Department of Social Protection to pay them back.

There is no approved list of providers.

Ownership of adaptations

After the adaptations are integrated into the workplace, the employer owns the adaptations and is responsible for insuring, repairing, and maintaining them.

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