asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if he has received a submission from the Federated Workers' Union of Ireland on the future of the Irish Productivity Centre; and, if so, the action he proposes to take on the matter.
Written Answers. - Irish Productivity Centre.
679.
I have received a submission from the Federated Workers' Union of Ireland regarding the future direction of the Irish Productivity Centre.
As the Deputy is aware, the centre is an autonomous agency and not a Statesponsored body. The centre is controlled jointly by the Federated Union of Employers and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. My Department and the Department of Labour each have an observer at council meetings of the centre. Whilst my Department provide financial assistance to the IPC in the form of an annual grant, this represents less than 50 per cent of the overall cost of funding the centre.
I appreciate the important work being done by the centre in the support and development of small and medium sized industry, but I am not, because of the particular nature of the centre, in a position to direct its activities.