Plans to boost participation in the labour market of people with disabilities were announced by President Nikos Christodoulides on Tuesday, who stressed the government aims for the them to “work, create, contribute, be recognised for their many abilities, and have equal opportunities”. These plans will be complemented by an increase in the subsidies offered to “social enterprises” from €10,000 to €25,000 when they hire people for “special purposes” – a term which typically denotes temporary hires. At present, it said, around 460 people partake in employment programmes with government support. Additionally, the centres will offer 30 education programmes for adults with disabilities, while the government will offer €300 worth of grants to each day centre attendee for transport to and from the centre. As a result, he said, “a significant number of our school leavers with disabilities, after leaving special education, were neither included in higher education programmes, nor in work, nor in day centres”.