§ Mr. HealeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people her Department is committed to employing during 1998 under(a) the subsidised job option and (b) the unsubsidised job option of the New Deal programme. [52583]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyNorthern Ireland Civil Service Departments, like their GB counterparts, are "signing up" to participate as employers in New Deal. The programme does not, however, impose quotes, and it is expected that Departments and Agencies, like other participating employers, will recruit New Deal employers as and when appropriate vacancies arise.