Minister launches SOS Kilkenny’s Work4Life employment programme

Minister Rabbitte was presented with a gift by Adam Doyle, which was grown by Bloom School of Horticulture

SOS Kilkenny was delighted to welcome Minister of State at the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Anne Rabbitte, TD to its Callan Road campus, recently.

Minister Rabbitte launched SOS Kilkenny’s Work4Life programme which supports people with intellectual disabilities from SOS Kilkenny to progress personally and professionally through paid, meaningful employment.

Work4Life is co-funded by the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Social Protection, and the European Union, under the Workability: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Rabbitte recognised the fundamental importance to us all of having a job – for a sense of purpose, to make connections and to earn a living. She acknowledged and thanked local employers who engage with Work4Life, offering opportunities for work placement and paid employment to jobseekers with an intellectual disability. She also noted the importance of colleagues in supporting people to reach their full potential in the work place.

Brian Walsh, Chairperson of SOS Kilkenny said they were delighted to welcome Minister Anne Rabbitte to SOS Kilkenny to officially launch the Work4Life programme. “We also welcomed the opportunity to tell Minister Rabbitte about our other initiatives – The Access Academy, which supports jobseekers to develop the skills and confidence for employment; The Pod Learning Café, which teaches barista skills and Dreamtime Radio, Ireland’s only BAI licensed radio station where all of the presenters are people with intellectual disabilities.