asked the Minister for Labour the Government's targets for reducing unemployment in 1988.
Written Answers. - Employment Proposals.
21.
The Government's policy is to boost economic growth and employment by bringing the national finances under control. The Government recognise that additional selective measures are required to stimulate employment and these are identified and detailed in the Programme for National Recovery.
My responsibility as Minister for Labour is to contribute to a climate conducive to economic and employment growth, including the area of industrial relations. I am also concerned to ensure the implementation of a number of selective measures to alleviate the unemployment problem and to assist people who are unemployed to improve their employment prospects and job-skills. During 1988, employment and training programmes will provide a projected total of 34,600 man years in terms of training and temporary employment places.
The main purpose behind the establishment of the new manpower authority — FÁS — is to deliver the programmes currently administered by AnCO, the Manpower Service and the Youth Employment Agency on a more co-ordinated, integrated and cost efficient basis as from 1 January 1988. This will ensure the best possible service for the unemployed and will offer them ready access to the full range of employment and training opportunities open to them.