asked the Minister for Labour if he will give details of the number of cases in which legal proceedings will be instituted by AnCO in respect of failure to pay levies due to them under the levy/grant training schemes; whether he considers that this is a desirable practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Training Levy Payments.
127.
I understand that AnCO, in discharge of its statutory responsibilities under the Industrial Training Act, 1967, intends to institute legal proceedings against employers who fail to pay the levy due under the various levy/grant schemes. Such action will be taken only after other means have been exhausted. AnCO hopes that legal proceedings will be necessary in a limited number of cases only. It is not possible to give the number of such cases at present.
The majority of employers have, to date, co-operated in this matter and it would be unfair to them if action were not taken against the minority in default.
Can the Minister state if it is his intention to maintain the levy scheme as a method of financing industrial training?
Yes. However, in the light of experience some modification may be necessary from time to time. For instance, very small firms are not included.
Am I correct in thinking that the British are phasing out levy schemes?
No, it was thought at one stage that this was so but, in fact, they are not.