Consultation on funding for the Employment Support Scheme
Date published:
The Department for Communities has launched a 12-week public consultation on funding for the Employment Support Scheme.
The Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) sets out the Department’s consideration to cease funding the Scheme which commenced in 1981 and closed to new entrants in 2006.
The ‘Employment Support Scheme Cessation of Funding’ consultation can be located on the DfC website.
The Department welcomes comment on any aspects of the document. Responses are sought by online survey, email or post and should be received by 16 February 2025.
Notes to editors:
1. The online survey can be accessed here - Consultation on Employment Support Scheme
2. Postal responses can be sent to: Health and Work Support Branch, Department for Communities, Level 3, Causeway Exchange, 1-7 Bedford Street, Belfast, BT2 7EG Telephone: 028 9082 3252 or email
3. Media enquiries via email
4. Follow us on X @CommunitiesNI
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.