DEL Chief Highlights Importance Of Equal Funding To Improvement In The NI Labour Market

18 May 2006
DEL CHIEF HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF EQUAL FUNDING TO IMPROVEMENT IN THE NI LABOUR MARKET
An exhibition of projects addressing some of the inequalities in the labour market was showcased today in central Belfast.
EQUAL, a community initiative launched in 2000 and funded through the European Social Fund, tests new ways of tackling all forms of discrimination and inequalities in the local labour market, both for people in work and those seeking work.
Speaking at the launch of the EQUAL exhibition in the Wellington Park Hotel, Aideen McGinley, Permanent Secretary for the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) said:
"There have been notable outcomes from the first round of the EQUAL programme and my Department's European Unit is committed to assist and build bridges with employers and community partnership groups.
"We will continue to ensure that their innovative activities will have an impact on policy and practice across government here, nationally and at an EU level."
Highlighting the importance the Bombardier Company and Business in the Community places in the EQUAL programme Michael Ryan, Vice President and General Manager said:
"One of the crucial links in the chain is the involvement of employers, without whom labour market programmes like EQUAL would operate within a vacuum. Bombardier will continue to take an interest, and I look forward to seeing in more detail the progressive policies that will stem from the programme for the benefit of both the workforce and employers in Northern Ireland."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1. The total amount of EU funding to the EQUAL programme from 2007 to 2008 is 11.891m euro.
2. The programme funds activities carried out by strategic groups called Development Partnerships.
3. In Northern Ireland the key themes addressed by the Development Partnerships were Employability and Equal Opportunities.
4. A key feature of EQUAL is the opportunity to share best practice on a transnational basis.
5. Media queries to the Department for Employment and Learning Press Office on 028 9025 7872.

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