The 24th of June marked a significant milestone for FIT as we addressed the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Rural and Community Development in Leinster House – bringing the impact and ambition of our work directly into national policy discussion.
As part of the Committee’s examination of the WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme, FIT joined Galway Rural Development Company and Youth Work Ireland Tipperary to share on-the-ground perspectives on how inclusive employment initiatives are transforming lives — and where more must be done.
Representing FIT, Andrew Finn, Director of Academic Affairs and Programme Development, and Clodagh Kearns, Wellbeing, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, presented on Cuimsiú, an initiative set up by FIT to support Neurodivergent and Disabled People on a path to tech employment that works for them.
Cuimsiú: Turning Potential into Opportunity
Since its launch in 2024, The Cuimsiú Programme has been built around a simple but powerful idea: with the right supports, everyone has the potential to thrive in the digital economy.
The programme provides tailored, supported pathways that go far beyond training alone, combining:
- Access to tech training, platforms and workshops.
- 1:1 sessions with Cuimsiú Employability Mentors.
- Preparation for the workplace – interview preparation and CV workshops.
- Access to assistive technology.
- Opportunities to network with employers.
- Soft skills training – communication, leadership, team work, confidence and more!
What Cuimsiú demonstrates is that inclusive employment isn’t just about access – it’s about ensuring individuals are supported to succeed and progress.
A National Challenge and Opportunity
A central theme of today’s discussion was Ireland’s position in relation to inclusive employment.
Currently, just 32% of people with disabilities in Ireland are active in the workforce, compared to an EU average of 51%. This gap is not just a statistic, it represents untapped talent, unrealised potential, and missed opportunity for individuals, employers and the wider economy.
The Committee session provided a valuable platform to highlight that closing this gap is already happening through programmes like Cuimsiú, and scaling that success requires sustained focus and investment.
Key areas identified included:
- Sustained and long-term funding for WorkAbility programmes to ensure continuity for participants
- Improved transport access, particularly for those in rural communities
- Greater flexibility within social welfare supports, including reassurance for participants navigating transitions into employment
- Continued investment in confidence-building and participant support, which are critical to long-term success
- Stronger and deeper employer engagement to break down barriers and build inclusive, future-ready workforces
Get Involved
At FIT, we see every day how inclusive pathways into tech can transform lives, by opening doors and enabling long-term, sustainable careers.
Today’s discussion reinforces the importance of continuing to build, expand and invest in these pathways, ensuring that opportunity in Ireland’s digital economy is truly accessible to all.
Learn more about FIT’s Cuimsiú programme and the supports available to both learners and employers here.
Watch the full Committee session on Oireachtas TV today.
* The Cuimsiú Programme is a WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme, co- financed by the EU Employment, Inclusion, Skills, and Training Programme (EIST) 2021-2027 and the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
