asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce how soon he expects the National Manpower Agency to arrange for the setting up of an employment service; if having regard to the urgency of the need for a modern placement and guidance service, he will state what improvements will now be made in employment exchanges to meet these requirements; and, in particular, whether this service will be made available to those now registered as unemployed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Service.
38.
As the Deputy is aware, there is an employment service already in existence. Paragraph 7 of the White Paper on manpower policy states that the Government accept that the placement and guidance facilities of this service must be expanded if the service is to play its full part in the development of a manpower policy. It is pointed out in the same paragraph that the development of the Employment Service will involve the provision, where necessary, of new or improved premises and special training arrangements for staff, the collection and dissemination of more information about employment opportunities and prospects and the provision of guidance to workers seeking employment.
It is the intention that these improved services should be available to all unemployed workers.
If the Parliamentary Secretary had not told me, I would not have known that you called the service provided by a labour exchange an employment service. When will the service, such as it is, be taken over by the National Manpower Agency?
The Deputy is well aware that this is something more than a mere physical exercise. A great deal of active co-operation will be necessary between employers, workers and those representing political Parties if the expansion of the service which we deem so desirable and necessary is to take place. Therefore, I would ask the Deputy to desist from making these snide remarks.
The Parliamentary Secretary should stop hedging and say when the National Manpower Agency will take over the employment service.
The Deputy is perfectly well aware of the position.
I am not. The Parliamentary Secretary is hedging.