Over 9,000 applications were made under the scheme with over 8,200 assessed as eligible according to the published guidelines for the scheme. Eligible applications were then included in a randomised anonymous selection process to choose the participants. This process was overseen by EY acting as an independent verifier. Over 8,200 eligible applicants were included in the anonymised randomised selection to select the 2,000 BIA recipients and the control group of 1,000 participants.
The application referred to by the Deputy was assessed and found to be eligible and was included in the anonymised random selection for recipients. Unfortunately this applicant was not selected to participate in the scheme.
It is important to note that eligibility was not a guarantee of a place on the BIA. I understand that those who applied and were not successful are disappointed, however, as a pilot scheme the BIA is operating with a limited fund providing for 2,000 participants.
If someone decides not to accept the offer of the BIA grant that place will be reallocated using a further random selection process. In this way, anyone eligible who has not already been selected or is in the control group would be included in another selection process to fill places prior to first payment.
