AQW 25046/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 25/03/2025
Answered On Date: 25/04/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities whether he has considered introducing new incentives for employers who hire and support disabled workers through workplace adjustments and ongoing development opportunities.

Answer:

My Department funds the Access to Work (NI) and Workable NI programmes that provide incentives to assist disabled people who wish to take up, to retain and progress in employment, through practical personalised work based solutions. These programmes can also help employers who wish to recruit or retain people with disabilities in employment.

My Department also funds the Condition Management Programme (CMP) which is a voluntary short-term wrap-around, multi-disciplinary healthcare provision that exists in Northern Ireland which provides the support to enable people with health conditions and disabilities progress towards, move into and remain in employment.

Due to the constrained budget position and bids not being met in the 2025-26 budget, there are affordability concerns with introducing any new incentives for employers.