To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning to detail (i) the employers that have participated in the ESS First Start Programme in East Londonderry; and (ii) the number of 18-24 year olds gaining (a) temporary and (b) permanent employment as a result.

First Start was initially delivered as a strand of the Steps to Work programme and following the closure of Steps to Work to new entrants as a strand of Employment Service Support.

The network of Lead Contractors responsible for the delivery of both Steps to Work and Employment Service Support liaised with employers to source suitable vacancies for the First Start programme; consequently my Department does not hold detail on the employers participating on a constituency basis.

Validated statistical information is not yet available that would allow me to report on the number of 18-24 year olds gaining (a) temporary and (b) permanent employment following participation on Employment Service Support First Start at present.

Management information collected on the First Start strand of Employment Service Support indicates that by 16 March 2015 over 355 clients have found subsidised employment opportunities through this initiative across Northern Ireland.