asked the Minister for Labour his views on the need for the training of worker representatives from shop-floor level, as conducted by some trade unions, and its essentiality in fostering good industrial relations and informing workers of their rights; and if he will consider holding discussions with "the social partners" with a view to securing paid release for such training on a countrywide basis.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Worker Representative Training.
9.
I agree that the provision of training for worker representatives at all levels makes an important contribution to the fostering of good industrial relations. To this end, my Department provide an annual grant to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions towards the cost of their education, training and advisory services. The grant in the Labour Vote for these services in 1986 is £677,000. Trade unions also benefit from the technical assistance grants scheme operated by AnCO. In addition, my Department subvent the College of Industrial Relations in respect of their industrial relations courses.
Apart from these arrangements, it is a matter for individual employers and workers to make their own arrangements for the release of workers for training purposes.
I thank the Minister for the figures but they do not answer my question. Is the Minister aware that the paid release of workers to attend courses organised by the ICTU or by individual affiliated unions is generally the case where there are in-company trade union-employer agreements? This discriminates very badly against workers who are not covered by such agreements. Would the Minister, in any code of practice in relation to industrial relations and in particular in relation to the submission made to the commission on industrial relations consider including that in any new code of practice which would be introduced to cover industrial relations.
I will bear the comments in mind and communicate them to the Minister. I am sure he will be in direct correspondence with the Deputy with regard to that matter.
I accept that.