To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning for his assessment of the extension of the Pathways to Work pilot for lone parents; and whether the pilot is to be extended.

The Pathways to Work for Lone Parents pilot project ended on 31 March and is currently being evaluated. The financial incentives that were tested by the pilot – the Return to Work Credit of £40 per week and the In Work Emergencies Fund – have already been made available to all lone parents in Northern Ireland. My Department will give due consideration to the evaluation report when it is available and, subject to resource availability, will bring forward additional proposals if necessary.