AQW 52449/22-27

Ms Sian Mulholland
Alliance Party
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 18/09/2026
Answered On Date: 30/09/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities whether the £16 million Pathways to Work and Wellbeing project will include a defined cohort of young people aged 18 to 24 to test (i) integrated employment; (ii) health; (iii) skills; and (iv) community support, for those whose disengagement is associated with (a) disability; (b) ill health; and (c) multiple barriers, such as poverty.

Answer:

The Pathways to Work and Wellbeing Transformation Project will place an emphasis on supporting young people who are economically inactive, who present with a disability or health-related barrier to employment. However, participation will not be restricted to any specific age group or defined cohort.

The Project will apply a principle of supporting anyone with a disability and health-related barrier to employment, that could benefit from more integrated employment, health, skills and community support. Therefore, whilst young people will be a key focus of the testing, an inclusive approach will ensure that others facing similar barriers are not excluded.