Ms Helen Faughnan:

Yes, and we have flagged to the various companies that we are here to help. We can help select these people and prepare them in advance if they identify the types of skill required. We are engaging on a proactive basis. The Department has set up a specific employer engagement unit, with key people right around the country responsible for engaging with employers, and much work has been done in this regard.

We are working with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and local authorities, as we have over many years, to transfer long-term rent supplement recipients to the local authorities, as that is where responsibility exists to meet people's long-term housing needs. There are no plans to transfer mortgage interest supplement, as it is a completely different scheme.

The Gateway process has started and is still in an initial period.