Debate contribution: Right to Try Scheme

Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on 15 June 2026.

MLA: Mr Gordon Lyons
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 15 June 2026
Type: Debate contribution (made as a minister)
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Right to Try Scheme
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5614047

Text

First of all, we have the disability and work strategy, which is cross-departmental and has been endorsed by the Executive. It is important that that is in place, because this is not something that I can sort out in one Department. The issues are multilayered, and we need to make sure that we work together to address them. That again brings in the transformation project, which is about working with the Department for the Economy and the Department of Health to make sure that we tackle the barriers to getting people into the workforce. I have seen some of the excellent work that is already being done to ensure that employers are in a position to take people on. We need to help give employers confidence, because there are many of them who are perhaps unsure about what will be required of them. Often, little is required of them in order to make the reasonable adjustments that allow people to come into the workplace. That work will continue to make sure that we give employers that confidence and give potential employees confidence that the workplace is somewhere for them: a place where disabled people can not only work but progress. That is something that I am committed to. We see that commitment through the disability and work strategy and the transformation project.

222 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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