§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce long-term unemployment in the Province.
§ Dr. BoysonOn 26 March I announced a package of enterprise and employment measures for Northern Ireland, designed to reduce long-term unemployment. These include: individual in-depth counselling interviews; short restart courses; a £20 weekly jobstart allowance; and an extra 325 job places available in the Enterprise Ulster and Action for Community Employment schemes.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to reduce youth unemployment in the Province.
§ Dr. BoysonA great deal is being done in Northern Ireland through community employment schemes, assistance to those wanting to start their own business, and training schemes, including the youth training programme. This will continue. In addition, I announced in March the introduction of a new workers scheme which gives employers incentives to take on 18 to 20-year-olds at realistic wages. The employment prospects of young people will also be improved by legislation which will be brought forward to take under-21s out of the scope of wages councils.