§ Mr. FitzpatrickTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many projects have been funded under the National Disability Development Initiative; how many have started; and what monitoring and evaluation is taking place. [36351]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, dated 8 April 1998:
The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question concerning the number of projects which have been funded under the National Disability Development Initiative; how many have started; and what monitoring and evaluation is taking place. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Employment Service.I regret that I am unable to provide you with exactly the information you have requested as currently no contracts have been awarded under the National Disability Development Initiative. However, I can confirm that nine preferred tenders have been selected by the National Disability Development Initiative Board, and that contract negotiations are at an advanced stage. I can also confirm that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment and Equal Opportunities hopes to make an announcement about the successful projects towards the end of April.I hope this is helpful.