8 jobseekers left in limbo

EIGHT Londonderry jobseekers were left in limbo and forced to wait weeks for a promised £100 bonus and the return of their P45 tax forms after completing a state-approved First Aid course with private employment agency Rutledge, the Employment Minister Dr Stephen Farry has confirmed.

The Minister blamed the impasse on an administrative error but said the issue has now been resolved and the affected jobseekers have since been paid.

He made the revelations in response to Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood who raised the matter through an Assembly Question.

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Mr Eastwood asked: “In relation to the Step Ahead Programme, delivered in conjunction with the Enagh Youth Forum and Rutledge Recruitment and Training in Derry, why the eight people who completed the programme on March 16, 2012 have not received their £100 bonus from Rutledge for the completion of a First Aid course, even though payment was due within 7 days?”

He also asked: “Why Rutledge has not issued P45s to these people, which has resulted in many of them paying emergency tax in their new employment?”

Dr Farry replied: “I understand that the delay in paying the £100 bonus and in issuing the P45s was due to an administrative oversight. The eight people affected by this have now received their bonus payment and P45s. The issue has now been resolved.”