Grant assistance is available for employers, employees and self-employed disabled people who need to adapt the workplace or purchase specialised equipment for staff with disabilities. This grant is called the Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant (WEAG) and is administered by FÁS employment services which were transferred to the Department of Social Protection in January 2012. You can apply for the grant if the disabled person is already employed or is about to be employed by you. Alternatively, if you have a disability, you can apply for the grant yourself if you are already in employment or about to commence employment.
Public sector employers (for example, government departments, state agencies, Health Service Executive (HSE), local authorities) are obliged to facilitate the needs of their staff with disabilities. This means making assistive technology, adaptive equipment and facilities, aids and appliances available. Public sector employers and their employees with disabilities are therefore not entitled to claim this grant. (Public sector employers are required to make these services available from their own resources).
Examples of some adaptations for which grants may be given include some of the following:
A wide range of equipment and adaptations are covered by this grant. You should be aware, however, that you are not entitled to make an application for grant assistance each year.
You also cannot make an application for equipment that was purchased retrospectively.
The maximum amount of grant aid is €6,348.70 towards the cost of adapting or purchasing equipment. This grant can also be used to upgrade adapted equipment that was funded previously.
You or your employer can apply for the grant if you are already employed or about to commence employment. You can obtain a 'Workplace Adaptation Grant Form' online or from your local FÁS Employment Services office.
You should identify the equipment and/or adaptation required, justifying why it is needed and supply quotations. If the equipment or adaptation costs over €635, you are required to obtain 2 price quotations from different suppliers. If the equipment or adaptation costs over €1,270, then you are required to obtain 3 price quotations from different suppliers.
When your completed application form and quotations are received, FÁS will then review your application. The equipment or adaptation that is selected will be the most appropriate for you (and may not necessarily be the lowest quote). The grant is then paid directly to the applicant to cover the costs.
If you are a public sector employee in Ireland and require or will require adaptive or assistive technology or changes to your workplace, you should get in touch directly with the Disability Liaison Officer in your Human Resources Unit.
Completed applications for a workplace equipment or adaptation grant should be sent to your local FÁS Employment Services office. A copy of the receipt for the item or adaptation should also be enclosed with your application.