§ Mr. Robert McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list ACE sponsors with their names and addresses, by size, for the most recent year available, with the number on each scheme, the number of approved places and the percentage of leavers who obtained full-time employment. [12176]
§ 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.
371WLetter from Ian Walters to Mr. Robert McCartney, dated 29 January 1997:
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me, as Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency, to reply to your question about the Action for Community Employment (ACE) scheme.There are currently 229 organisation operating ACE projects throughout Northern Ireland.Experience has shown that many of participants leaving ACE require further education or training to prepare them for employment. The Agency therefore records progressing into education, training and employment as positive outcomes. A representative sample of leavers from the scheme is surveyed twice during each year. The survey in 1995/96 showed that 41% of leavers achieved a positive outcome. Figures for 1996/97 will not be available until after the end of March 1997. The percentage of leavers who obtained positive outcomes at each scheme is not readily available.Detailed information amounting to a 27 page document is being sent to you separately and a copy will be placed in the House of Commons library. I hope you find it useful.