asked the Minister for Labour the amount Ireland has received to date from the EC for the exchange of young workers between member states of the Community.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exchange of Young Workers.
27.
A programme to encourage the exchange of young workers within the European Community was adopted in 1964. It covered the period 1964 to 1977. It did not provide for the direct payment of Community financial aid to member states. Under the programme aid was payable only to bodies operating at European level which arranged worker exchanges in direct consultation with the European Commission.
A decision of the Council of the European Communities dated 16 July, 1979 provides for the establishment of a second joint programme to encourage the exchange of young workers between member states. Under this programme Community aid will be payable directly to recognised representative European bodies which promote and organise young worker exchanges. The decision contains no provision for direct payment of Community aid to member states.
Could the Minister give us an indication of the kind of recognised European bodies that will be regarded as funding channels for this kind of operation? Could he give us any indication whether any of this money could be used for the exchange of young workers between the north and south of Ireland in order to improve relations between the two parts of the island?
I shall certainly let the Deputy have information on the bodies to be recognised. As regards the second part of the question, if this idea can be pursued within that scheme and if there are recognised bodies that can be aided on both sides I would be very anxious to have the possibilities examined. That would be very desirable.