To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning how areas of his Department’s work, previously funded through the Block Grant, which will now be applying to the European Social Fund (ESF), meet the conditionality requirements of the ESF.

All applicants to the ESF Programme will have to meet the criteria as outlined in the Guidance Notes and application form fully. These criteria include outlining how duplication with other local/geographical provision or other government programmes is avoided and/or additionality is demonstrated. It is very difficult to comment specifically on any application until it has been received and fully assessed by a process that is outlined below.

My Department is establishing Assessment Panels to examine all the applications that are submitted to the European Social Fund. It is anticipated the Assessment Panels will consist of members that are drawn from across the relevant business areas in the Department and also independent representation with relevant background in the specific Investment Priorities being assessed such as disability or young people.

The Assessment Panels will follow a robust and transparent process to ensure all applications are judged on merit and the specific criteria that are detailed in the application form.