There's to be a multi-million pound EU-funded cash injection for NI's labour market.

Yesterday, the Stormont Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey, encouraged organisations here to apply for the latest round of European Social Funding totalling over £65m.

Welcoming the package for projects aimed at helping people into sustainable employment prospects and addressing the needs of those disadvantaged in the labour market, the Minister said: "This latest round of the Northern Ireland European Social Fund (ESF) Programme will provide further support towards increasing the overall employment rate and reducing local economic inactivity.

"It is designed to extend employment opportunities, in particular for those groups at a disadvantage in the labour market."

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The £65.52m (£40.32m from ESF, £25.2m from DEL) represents the 65% that will be made available through the Programme.

The remaining 35% match funding will have to be secured independently by the successful organisations.

This is the second call made by the Department for applications under the current Northern Ireland European Social Fund Programme.

Applications will be invited from any legally formed relevant public, private voluntary or community sector organisation.

Highlighting the importance of the application process and the time frame for submitting proposals, the Minister said: "My Department wants to ensure that the second phase of activity under the current Northern Ireland ESF Programme is rolled out in April 2011.

"The invitation to submit applications is being made now so that organisations have plenty of time to prepare their proposals. It is essential that all applicants bear in mind that this is a competition and only those proposals that can deliver the Programme's objectives and targets will be selected for funding," he concluded.

Application forms and information on how to apply will be available at:

www.eugrants.org from 23 September.

(BMcC/GK)