AQW 8410/17-22 Written question to the Minister for the Economy
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.
Asked by Stewart Dickson MLA on 8 October 2020
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 8 October 2020
- Answer due by
- 23 October 2020
- Answered
- 19 October 202011 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for the Economy
- Priority question
- No
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.