§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what means are used to assist disabled persons in gaining employment in Northern Ireland. [151181]
§ Jane KennedyThe Department for Employment and Learning through the Disablement Advisory Service provides advice, guidance, training and a job-placing service for people with disabilities and health issues. The service assists disabled people who wish to obtain or retain employment and is delivered by a team of Disablement Employment Advisers based in JobCentres/Jobs and Benefits Offices across Northern Ireland.
The Department provides a range of programmes which have been designed to assist people with a range of disabilities enter and keep employment. These include the Job Introduction Scheme, Access to Work, Employment Support and New Deal for Disabled People. The Department also administers European funding under the Programme for Building Sustainable Prosperity and the EQUAL Community Initiative which support people with health problems and disabilities return to employment.
The Special Needs Careers Service provides a service to young people with disabilities in full-time education and training and after completion of these.
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