asked the Minister for Labour the changes in personnel on the Employment Action Team since its inception; and if he will give up-to-date figures for the number of jobs in man-weeks which have been created as a result of the team's suggestions.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Employment Action Team .
9.
: There have been five changes in personnel since the inception of the team as follows: Mr. S. Keating, Galway, City and County Managers' Association, replaced by Mr. S. Hayes, Wicklow; Mr. R. Carey, Department of Finance, replaced by Miss M. Morrissey; Mr. J. O'Farrell, Department of the Public Service, replaced by Mr. P. Boyle; Mr. D. Moriarty, Department of the Environment, replaced by Mr. J. Carroll; Mr. S. MacLoinnsigh, Department of Economic Planning and Development, replaced by Mr. P. Keeley.
Up to the end of May 1978, programmes suggested by the team had provided approximately 2,700 man-weeks of employment.
: Does the Minister agree that the constant changes in the members of the team indicate a lack of confidence by the Departments concerned?
: I would not be inclined to accept the Deputy's suggestion when I note the other obligations and responsibilities of the people named in my reply.
: Am I correct in interpreting the Minister as having said that there were jobs equal to 2,700 man-weeks provided, and if so, does the Minister not agree that this represents fewer than 500 man-years?
: I have given an answer to the question the Deputy asked, which was the number of jobs in man-weeks created as a result of the team's suggestions.
: Would the Minister answer my second question? Does he not agree that 2,700 man-weeks must be fewer than 4,900 jobs?
: The 2,700 man-weeks have been created as a result of the work of the team. That is the only information I was asked for and that is the only information I am in a position to give to the Deputy.
: Does the Minister not agree that his earlier reply suggests that the Employment Action Team are nonsense, that they have been a monstrous failure and a source of grave disappointment to the many young people who had been hoping for work.
: Those who have benefited from the 2,700 man-weeks would not agree with the Deputy.
: Would the Minister indicate the reasons for the changes of personnel?
: As the Deputy will observe, one is a member of the City and County Managers' Association and he was replaced by another county manager. His work requires him to stay in Galway—he had to travel to Dublin to frequent meetings. The others whose names I have read out are in the public service and were assigned different duties in their Departments which precluded them from continuing to work on the team.
: Is it not strange to see people who had been appointed only months ago changing their positions so rapidly? Is this just a question of an administrative change in their duties rather than tensions because of dissatisfaction with the work of the team?
: The Minister is absolutely satisfied on that.
: Are there further resignations contemplated?
: I did not mention resignations. I spoke of changes in personnel.
: Is the Minister saying that none of them resigned?