frequently asked questions - jobseekers

What is Supported Employment and how will it help me if I want a job?
Supported Employment is an employment initiative that helps integrate people with disabilities into paid employment in the open labour market. The Midland Employment Support Agency (MESA) deliver the Supported Employment programme service in the midlands – Laois, Offaly, Longford & Westmeath. When you access our service, you will be linked with a local Employment Officer who will work one-to-one with you in a supportive and confidential setting. Our service includes help in the following areas:

• JOB MATCHING - Advice on suitable career options available to you, based on your skills and interests.
• JOB SEEKING – Help identifying and securing suitable employment.


• JOB COACHING – We can help you if you need on-the-job training to settle you into your job. You may also need your workplace adapted or an assistive technology to enable you to do the job. We can advise your employer of these supports and the grants available to provide them.
• AFTERCARE – Our support to you is ongoing. We can continue to link with you and your employer to make sure that you are happy and doing well in your job.

Who can avail of MESA’s Supported Employment service?
If you have a disability and wish to take up paid employment and need assistance to do so, MESA can help you. We help people with all disabilities : physical, sensory/intellectual & mental health. We focus on your ABILITY, on what you CAN do and help you to find employment suitable to this.

Our service covers Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath. If you are outside these counties, please contact your local Fás office and they will direct you to your nearest supported employment programme.

I am in receipt of a disability payment. Will I lose this if I start working?
If you are in receipt of a disability payment, it is possible to work and still retain all or part of your benefit. The situation depends on what payment you are on, how many hours you work, your work income and your own personal circumstances. Your Employment Officer will discuss your situation with you in a confidential setting. We offer independent advice and information on how your benefit may be affected if you start working.

What about my secondary benefits? Will I lose my medical card/free travel/rent allowance etc?
Retaining these benefits depends on the disability payment you receive, the hours you work, the amount you earn and other personal details. We will discuss your situation with you in a confidential setting. We offer independent advice and information on how these benefits may be affected if you start working.

I am not in receipt of a disability payment, can MESA still help me to get a job?
Yes. If you have a disability and need assistance to get a job, MESA can help you. If you are not in receipt of a disability payment you can still apply to our service. We would need a letter from your doctor outlining that you would need our support.

I have recently acquired a disability and cannot do the work I had been doing in the past. Can Supported Employment help me?
Yes. We can help you to assess your new circumstances in relation to your work options. We can advise you and your current employer about the FÁS grant available to retrain you to undertake alternative duties in the company or to help you continue to work at your existing duties using modified techniques. We can also explore new work options and help you rebuild your career.

Will I receive any extra payment when using MESA’s Supported Employment service?
No. MESA is not a training programme and therefore there is no training allowance available. We work with you to help you secure and maintain paid employment.

Would I have to work full time?
No. People helped by MESA work different hours, ranging from a few hours per week to full-time. Each jobseeker’s personal circumstances are different, and we can discuss with you what working arrangement is best for you.

How will I get to and from work?
Unfortunately, MESA cannot provide transport for you to get you to and from work. However we can help you look at what options are available to you in this regard.

How should I disclose my disability to my employer?
The disclosure of information can be a sensitive issue for many people with disabilities. Your Employment Officer will discuss with you the best way to disclose information about your disability, when applying for jobs. With your consent, we can discuss with prospective employers work options based on your abilities, and identify workable solutions to any challenges that may present.

What if I get sick?
Employers know that most employees (with or without a disability) at some point cannot attend work due to illness. It is important when you are sick and cannot attend to follow your employer’s protocol for this.

• Ring your employer as soon as possible if you cannot attend work
• Provide a doctor’s certificate when required, usually if off work for 3 days
• Notify your employer well in advance of any hospital appointments


• If you are regularly missing work days due to illness, your Employment Officer may step in and reassess the situation with you and your employer with regard to different hours, further supports or putting the employment on hold until you become well again.

What can I expect to get paid?
You can expect to get the same pay, rights and entitlements as other employees. Your Employment Officer can help you agree the terms and conditions of employment with your employer if you wish.

Is there a charge to use MESA’s Supported Employment service?
No. Our service is free of charge to jobseekers and to employers.

How can I apply?
You can contact your local office directly:

Mountmellick 086 3873056 mountmellick@mesa4.com
Tullamore 057 93 23901 tullamore@mesa4.com
Mullingar 086 8160356 mullingar@mesa4.com
Athlone 086 3842496 athlone@mesa4.com
Longford 086 3872855 longford@mesa4.com

Alternatively, Contact us by email form or on 05793 23901

focus on employability

To enlarge text on the page go to view on the toolbar. From here go to text size - and from the drop down list choose largest.