§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have participated in the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 + in Northern Ireland in each year since its inception. [159564]
§ Jane KennedyThe Preparation for Employment programme was introduced in Northern Ireland in April 2001 as the main element of provision within the New Deal 25 +.
The number of people who have participated in the Preparation for Employment programme and the former Intensive Activity Period, which it replaced, are as follows.
1663W
Number November 1998 to March 1999 130 1999–2000 6,690 2000–01 3,441 2001–02 2,633 2002–03 3,176 April 2003 to December 2003 1,408
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost per participant is of the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 +. [159565]
§ Jane KennedyThe cost per participant on the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 + ranges from £2,910 to £4,372, depending on the duration of participation i.e. 20 or 26 weeks and outcomes achieved.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what sanctions are applied to those who refuse to participate in the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 Plus. [1595661]
§ Mr. SpellarThe New Deal is founded on the principle of rights and responsibilities. The Preparation for Employment Programme element of New Deal 25 Plus is mandatory for those aged 25 to 49.
The sanction for a first failure to comply with the requirements of the Preparation for Employment Programme is the loss of jobseeker's allowance for two weeks. The sanction for a second failure to comply which occurs within 12 months of the imposition of the first sanction is the loss of jobseeker's allowance for four weeks. The sanction for a third or subsequent failure to comply which occurs within 12 months of the imposition of the previous sanction is the loss of jobseeker's allowance for 26 weeks.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to extend participation in the Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 + to those aged over 49 years. [159567]
§ Jane KennedyThe Preparation for Employment programme element of New Deal 25 + is currently available to all unemployed jobseekers aged 25 or over when they have been in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for 18 months, or for 18 out of the last 21 months. Those aged 50 or over, who meet the JSA eligibility criteria, are able to participate in the programme on a voluntary basis. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will shortly commence a two year pilot, in selected areas of GB, requiring mandatory participation in the Preparation for Employment programme for those eligible JSA claimants aged 50 or over. The Department for Employment and Learning will examine the recommendations arising from the evaluation report of the pilot, when it is available, with a view to implementing them in Northern Ireland.