asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make it a condition for the awarding of grants to industries by the IDA that the labour force will be, as far as possible, recruited through the National Manpower Service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Manpower Service.
172.
I am informed that the Industrial Development Authority generally advise manufacturing firms which are offered new industry grants to avail themselves of the services of the National Manpower Service in recruiting labour. I understand that most of these firms avail themselves of the service, particularly in relation to recruitment of management staff, although some large firms which have the necessary resources and expertise prefer to recruit directly rather than through the National Manpower Service.
I do not consider it desirable that the conditions attached to IDA grants should require firms to recruit through the National Manpower Service as I believe this would introduce an undesirable element of compulsion into what should be a good working relationship between firms and the service.
I would prefer the continuance of the present situation where firms voluntarily use the National Manpower Service because of the advantages they themselves see in it.