AQW 27978/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 02/06/2025
Answered On Date: 24/06/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy whether she will commit to revising the Skills Strategy for Northern Ireland, to explicitly include the needs of (i) refugees; (ii) asylum seekers; and (iii) English for speakers of other language learners, in line with the Draft Refugee Integration Strategy’s priority outcomes on inclusive access to education and employment pathways.

Answer:

I do not intend to revise the Skills Strategy as my focus is on the development of the Skills Action Plan which I intend to publish shortly.

However, my Department recognises that the ability to speak the English language is a key enabler for integration into society and as such offers free ESOL provision via the further education college network to a number of vulnerable groups, including refugees and asylum seekers.