AQW 4199/22-27

Ms Kellie Armstrong
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 06/10/2022
Answered On Date: 14/10/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Justice how will the loss of European Social Fund funding affect the services which her Department provides.

Answer:

The loss of European Social Funding has the potential to impact negatively on our ability to provide two business critical programmes which currently receive ESF funding. These programmes are NIACRO Working Well and Quest Advantage:

NIACRO Working Well supports people with convictions into employment, education or training.

Quest Advantage equip young people with the skills and qualifications to effectively integrate into employment.

Both these programmes are core elements of the rehabilitation of people in the care of the NI Prison Service and it is vital that we are able to continue the important work currently being delivered through these projects.