Minister for Social Solidarity Michael Farrugia today announced the launch of the assisted support employment scheme that will temporarily take over from the LEAP project and is being run in collaboration with the Malta Association of Supported Employment.

The project aims at helping LEAP beneficiaries, should they wish, to continue to receive training with the ultimate aim of finding a permanent job.

LEAP  aims to identify those people and categories within society who are disadvantaged. It also aims to make government services more accessible to those individuals who are disadvantaged.

He said the LEAP project is a success and will end this Summer. The ministry will be applying for EU funds to turn the LEAP project into a LEAP programme, with this project taking over in-between for 7 months.

He mentioned that LEAP helped many individuals, including one who was dominated at home gain the self-motivation to lead an independent life.

He stressed that this programme will be funded through the Consolidated Fund and will cost just over €200,000.

Aside from helping those in LEAP who have not yet found work, the project will help persons from related NGOs do the same should they wish.

Aside from training, the Minister said that social workers will also be assigned if needed in order to help in a holistic manner.

He explained that the Ministry is working hand in hand with NGOs as well as the Church and public sector to develop a national strategy in the field and that more projects will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The Minister stated that the LEAP project cost around €3 million.