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Mr. Alton
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many jobs are currently available through the ACE programme; how many applicants have sought the chance to establish an ACE project in Northern Ireland since its inception; how many jobs have been created; how many proposals have been turned down; and how many are awaiting a decision.
Mr. Viggers
There are currently 6,886 ACE jobs in existence; 1,591 applicants have applied to establish an ACE project since the scheme was introduced. The average number of ACE jobs created each year since 1981 is as follows:
| Period | Average number of jobs created |
| 1981–82 | 430 |
| 1982–83 | 1,270 |
| 1983–84 | 2,529 |
| 1984–85 | 3,080 |
| 1985–86 | 3,890 |
| 1986–87 | 6,150 |
Note: 26 proposals have been rejected; and 118 new proposals at present await a decision.