asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the functions which the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions (details supplied) will fulfil in the Irish context.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Living and Working Conditions.
35.
(Cavan)for the Minister for Foreign Affairs: The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions is properly viewed in a European Communities context. The foundation will be set up within the framework of the Communities and will operate for the benefit of all member states.
Ireland has been designated as the location for the European Foundation. However, the regulation establishing this body has not yet been adopted by the EEC Council of Ministers. It is expected that the regulation will be adopted in the next few weeks.
The draft regulation states that the aim of the foundation shall be to contribute to the planning and establishment of better living and working conditions through action designed to increase and disseminate knowledge likely to assist in this development. More specifically the foundation will isolate the following five areas for particular attention:
—man at work.
—organisation of work and particularly job design.
—problems peculiar to certain categories of workers.
—long-term aspects of improvement of the environment,
—spatial distribution of human activities and their distribution in time.
The foundation will seek to generate an exchange of information and experience in these fields. In general, it is hoped that the foundation will help to create a climate in which concrete improvements can take place in the living and working conditions in member states.
Has any decision been taken by the Government as to the location of this foundation?
(Cavan): No decision has been taken in that regard yet.
Can the Minister give me any idea as to when a decision might be taken?
(Cavan): I cannot. As I stated in the reply the regulation has not yet been adopted so it would be premature to take any positive steps in relation to the location of the foundation until that has happened.
Can the Minister say whether there is any likelihood of any other Community institution being established in this country?
(Cavan): That is a separate question and the Deputy will appreciate that I am answering for another Minister.
The answer is "No" anyway.