09/10/2003

New Deal for disabled helps 1,000 into work

Employment and Learning Minister, Jane Kennedy has today urged more people on health-related benefits, who want help to get into work, to consider joining the New Deal for Disabled People (NDDP) initiative.

To date, over 1,000 people have found work through NDDP, which was created to help people receiving health-related benefits find paid employment.

The Minister said: "In Northern Ireland, there are over 100,000 people who are eligible to join the New Deal for Disabled People programme. This year the initiative has reached an important milestone with more than 1000 people finding work but I hope that we can help even more people take the first steps towards finding a suitable job."

The New Deal for Disabled People is a voluntary programme with Disablement Employment Advisers in local JobCentres or specially appointed Job Brokers, located across Northern Ireland. These advisors are trained to match client’s individual skills and abilities to what local employers need.

"Hundreds of people have already found help through the programme and there are many more people who could benefit by simply picking up the telephone and checking out what is on offer. The message is clear, you cannot lose with New Deal for Disabled People," the Minister concluded.

(MB)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

11 April 2003
New Deal scheme improves employability
The Government's New Deal scheme is helping to improve participants' employability in Northern Ireland, according to a new survey.
15 November 2001
New Deal evaluation reports released
The Department for Employment and Learning has published the first stage of a major independent survey of 1560 New Deal participants that reveals a generally positive view of the scheme.
04 August 2022
Two People Arrested On Suspicion Of People Smuggling
The PSNI have arrested two people in Belfast on suspicion of offences linked to people smuggling. At around 8am on Wednesday morning, immigration officers and some 30 police officers conducted raids on two properties in Annadale Drive and Ravenhill Avenue.
08 March 2024
Additional £3m Announced For Supporting People Programme
An additional £3 million in funding for the Supporting People programme, which aims to the quality of life for vulnerable people through appropriate housing-related services, has been announced by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.
20 January 2023
Mivan Creates 100 New Jobs
Northern Ireland fit out specialist Mivan has announced a major recruitment drive following a host of new orders. The Antrim-based firm will create 100 new jobs, with the first Recruitment Open Day taking place on Saturday 28 January from 10am to 3pm at Mivan's headquarters in Antrim.