Unemployed lose out due to admin error

Dr Farry advised that the now-frozen Step Ahead programme - aimed at people who have been out of work for up 30 months - closed on October 21 but due to administration and IT issues the vacancies were not registered with the North West Regional College (NWRC).

Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney asked the Minister “in light of the error by the NWRC on applications for the Step Ahead programme, whether he will now accept applications from voluntary groups in the Derry area which have been refused funding on the basis of this error, given that these groups submitted their applications within the timeframe and with all the completed documentation.”

The Minister advised he could not accept any late applications as there is a need to be consistent across all lead contractors.

Dr Farry stated: “It is regrettable that it has been necessary to introduce a pause on recruitment to the Step Ahead strand of the Steps to Work (StW) programme due to budgetary pressures on my Department.

“Applications for Step Ahead vacancies closed on Friday 21 October. However, due to a combination of an administrative error and IT problems, the vacancies referred to by the Member were not registered by North West Regional College before the closing date.

“As the Department must be even-handed and consistent in its application of the closing date across all of our Lead Contractors, I cannot agree to accept any late applications.

“Should additional resources become available later this year, I would intend to restart recruitment to Step Ahead, though this may be on a more selective and targeted basis.”

Step Ahead is aimed at people receiving benefits who have been out of work for 30 months or more. The number of opportunities available in an area was supposed to be in direct proportion to the level of working age benefit claimants.