A new programme to tackle employment disadvantage was presented yesterday by the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Ms Harney.

The Equal Community Initiative, which will invest £37 million (#47 million) over the next five years, is an EU-wide initiative and is part-funded by the European Social Fund.

"We now have the chance to provide those who are excluded from the labour market with the real prospect of gaining employment," the Tanaiste said. "The `equal' programme will look at new ways of tackling disadvantage and discrimination affecting women, older persons, lone parents, long-term unemployed, travellers, people without basic skills including literacy, numeracy and IT; ex-offenders, people with disabilities or those suffering from other disadvantages such as drug misuse."

The programme would also help to integrate foreign workers in Ireland, and look at ways of improving the prospects of people remaining in employment.

A call for proposals from applicants will be issued by the end of June.