§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many places on the ACE action for community scheme in Northern Ireland have been lost as a consequence of spending reductions in the year 1995–96; [6372]
627W(2) what has been the reduction in the number of new training places made available on the pilot community work programme. [6373]
§ Mr. AncramResponsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. Ian Walters. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Ian Walters to Ms Majorie Mowlam, dated 27 November 1996:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency to reply to your questions about the Action for Community Employment (ACE) and Community Work Programme.As a result of the reduction in funding for ACE in 1996–97, the number of places was reduced by 2,200, ie from 9,400 in 1995–96 to 7,200.The pilot Community Work Programme offers 1,000 new places for the long term unemployed. There has been no reduction in this allocation.I hope you find this reply helpful.