Long-term Unemployment

HC Deb 17 July 1996 vol 281 cc567-8W

Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the report on long-term unemployment in Northern Ireland, commissioned by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action; and if he will make a statement. [37261]

Sir John Wheeler

The report, "Long-Term Unemployment in Northern Ireland", commissioned by the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action, is an important and interesting contribution to the on-going debate on long-term unemployment in Northern Ireland.

Many of the issues raised by the report are already being addressed by the Government as part of a wide ranging review of policy responses to the issue. The Training and Employment Agency has also recently commenced an in-depth review of the long-term unemployed and related issues and will take on board relevant recommendations contained in the report.