News Release Page Title

4 May 2001

FARREN: EXTRA HELP FOR LONE PARENTS

Lone parents participating in the New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) may be in line for an extra £15 a week, the Minister for Higher and Further Education, Training and Employment, Dr. Sean Farren, announced today.

Dr Farren said: "With effect from this week, and in line with arrangements in Great Britain, we have introduced a Training Premium of £15 per week, to provide extra encouragement for lone parents to return to the labour market through New Deal.

"The measure will apply to those lone parents particpating in the New Deal for Lone Parents who take up an approved NVQ course after 30 April 2001. In addition, under current arrangements lone parents undertaking approved training may also qualify for assistance towards travel and childcare costs.

"Taken together, these initiatives are a clear indication of the Executive’s determination to ensure the widest possible access to education. They will not only benefit the individuals concerned, but local communities and indeed Northern Ireland will benefit from having more people undertaking a nationally recognised vocational qualification."

Lone parents who want more information or who are interested in finding our how the New Deal for Lone Parents can help them should contact their local Social Security Office or JobCentre.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

The New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) is a voluntary programme aimed at assisting lone parents in receipt of Income Support who wish to find work or undertake training as a route to work.

In order to qualify for the Training Premium lone parents must:

  1. be participating in NDLP; and

  2. undertaking an NVQ course approved by a New Deal Personal Adviser through the NDLP/Further Education College (FEC) arrangements; and

  3. have commenced the course on or after 30 April 2001.

The Training Premium is not payable to:

  1. NDLP participants currently undertaking NVQ courses through the NDLP/FEC arrangements i.e. those who commenced training before 30 April 2001; or

  2. Lone parents participating in either the New Deal for 18 to 24 Year Olds, New Deal 25+ pilot or New Deal 25+ (2001).