AQW 8410/17-22

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 08/10/2020
Answered On Date: 19/10/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy how she will ensure that people furthest from the labour market continue to receive support to access employment after the ending of the current European Social Fund Programme funding period in 2022.

Answer:

The European Social Fund Programme currently provides important support to a large number of individuals who face a range of barriers to employment. The current projects are due to conclude in March 2022 and a joint project with the Department for Communities has been established to consider the range of policy and delivery options.

A key consideration for any replacement programme will be access to the necessary funding. This is being progressed by the Department of Finance on behalf of the NI Executive.