Communities Minister has set out his determination
to get more people into work in Northern Ireland.
Speaking ahead of announcements to the Assembly today (Monday 6
October) to tackle unemployment and economic inactivity,
Communities Minister said:
“Employment is one of the best pathways out of poverty and to
improved health and life outcomes.
“I am determined to open up opportunities and to break down
barriers to employment.
“My focus is on those who have felt excluded from the world of
work and making sure that the right supports are in place at the
right time.”
The Minister will set out an ambitious new strategy to ensure
more disabled people and people with health conditions can
access, and thrive in, an inclusive and welcoming labour market.
The Minister explained:
“Up to now, our track record on disability employment has not
been good enough. I want us to do better.
“Disability influences lives in many unique and personal ways and
the issues faced by disabled people can be complex and
intersectional.
“Employment can offer a means to help address and overcome many
of the challenges faced.
“Real change is needed that matches the talents and ambitions of
disabled people. It must be felt on the ground. My new strategic
approach promises that change.”
The Minister will also launch a new programme to help working age
benefit claimants to enter or re-enter the labour market. The
scheme will expand on previous employer incentive programmes that
have seen thousands of participants move into sustained
employment.
The Minister added:
“I will be bringing forward the biggest jobs programme of its
kind, extending our reach to more people than previous
initiatives.
“The programme will have a range of supports for new employees
and also for employers to ensure positive pathways to work. It
will build upon the success of previous programmes recently
delivered by the Department which were positively endorsed both
by employers and jobseekers.”
Northern Ireland's economic inactivity rate is 26%. This means
that over 300,000 people of working age are not active in the
labour market. Almost 40% of that is due to ill-health or
disability.
Northern Ireland has the worst disability employment rate (41.3%)
across the UK (52.8%).
