Gordon Lyons to launch new strategy aims to get more people with disabilities into work

Northern Ireland’s economic inactivity rate is 26%. This means that more than 300,000 people of working age are not active in the labour market.

Almost 40% of that figure is due to ill-health or disability, according to the Department for Communities (DfC).

It said Northern Ireland has the worst disability employment rate (41.3%) – the proportion of people with disabilities who are in work – compared to the UK-wide figure of 52.8%.

The new proposed strategy aims to ensure more people with disabilities or health conditions can access an “inclusive and welcoming labour market”, the department said.

Lyons said Northern Ireland’s record on disability employment “has not been good enough” and “real change is needed”.

“My focus is on those who have felt excluded from the world of work and making sure that the right supports are in place at the right time,” he added.