§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are the present policy objectives of the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Department of Manpower Services with regard to the training and rehabilition of unemployed young people; and whether he will make a statement on the implementation of the policy.
§ Mr. ConcannonThe policy is to augment the opportunities for industrial and commercial training available to young people in Northern Ireland and to provide facilities for the return to the active work force of those who have special employment problems. The Departments and agencies involved in the training and rehabilitation field are currently providing opportunities for 4,000 young persons through industrial training and job creation arrangements, and through incentives in the form of grants to employers.
The number of opportunities available for young people aged between 16 and 19 years during the current financial year under the major schemes are:
Scheme No. of Places Job Creation Enterprise Ulster 300 Young Help 100 Industrial Training Apprentice training 2,045 Young persons training 250 Attachment training 200 Apprentice capitation scheme 160 Apprentice premium grant scheme and special capitation grant scheme 720 Other training schemes 170 Youthways 50 TOTAL PLACES 3,995