AQW 42397/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 17/02/2015
Answered On Date: 25/02/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for her assessment of the Rural Youth Entrepreneurship Programme; and whether it is on course to reach its Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation framework objective by March 2015.

Answer:

The Rural Youth Entrepreneurship Programme is an innovative initiative that aims to help reduce youth migration and increase the sustainability of rural communities by encouraging rural young people to consider self-employment and entrepreneurship as a viable career path. At present 167 participants are engaged in the RYE Programme and work is well underway to achieve the target of 450 participants leading to 100 new Business Action Plans and onward referrals by 31 March 2016.