Ms Helen Faughnan:

Somebody who is on rent supplement for more than 18 months is regarded as being eligible for the rental accommodation scheme, or RAS, which is looked after by the local authorities. Even if the person has not moved but still meets the criteria, he or she can continue to receive rent supplement and take up employment.

Our staff encourage employers and brief them along these lines.

We can definitely ensure that we improve it to a greater degree.

There is also engagement with the unemployed and we now carry out what are called group engagements. We bring together cohorts of unemployed people at the early stages of unemployment and brief them not only on income supports but on all the various options available to them if they take up work as well. Employees know themselves when they are going in. These group engagements have been well received by the unemployed. Following them, they move on to a one-to-one engagement on the basis of their personal circumstances.