asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement regarding the progress, if any, he has made in reducing unemployment in Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tallaght, Dublin, Unemployment.
2.
The expansion of employment is primarily a function of general economic policy which creates the environment conducive to the creation of self-sustaining jobs. The Government's policy in this respect has been set out in the Programme for National Recovery.
The role of the Manpower Agencies, which come within my area of responsibility, is mainly concerned with helping those without jobs to find employment and to try to ensure that people coming into the labour market are adequately trained and have the relevant skills for the jobs which do arise.
During 1986, AnCO trained over 1,700 people at its training centre in Tallaght and are on target to train a similar number for 1987. In addition 120 people are participating in community youth training projects, and community workshops. A further number from the Tallaght area are attending training courses operated by CERT.
To date, this year, a total of 322 people from the Tallaght area have been placed on the employment schemes operated by the National Manpower Service while 500 have been accommodated on the Job-search course.
Under the community enterprise programme, grant aid has recently been approved for the development of two incubator workspaces in the area. In addition, the "Get Tallaght Working Group" is employing an enterprise worker to develop project ideas and to provide business advice and support services.
A Community Training and Employment Consortium (COMTEC) was established in Tallaght by the Youth Employment Agency in January 1985. Its objective is to bring together and coordinate the work of manpower and education agencies in the area, and to promote community involvement in local provision of manpower services. In February of this year, the COMTEC produced a two-year plan for Tallaght. A number of the report's specific recommendations have already been acted upon and are being funded by the Youth Employment Agency. These include the establishment of a centre for the unemployed and the appointment of a community development and enterprise development officer under the YEA's community enterprise programme to help to generate more temporary employment and community-managed enterprise projects.
As a result of recommendations in the Tallaght COMTEC plan, an integrated development programme for the Tallaght area is being developed by the Youth Employment Agency and AnCO, in co-operation with local community interests and Dublin County Council. The programme which is being developed at present for implementation from early 1988 is a strategy for identifying individuals, companies and groups in the area showing potential to increase local jobs and income as well as enhancing the climate for enterprise in the area. The programme will involve concerted and coordinated use of the training and enterprise development resources within FÁS, the new Manpower Authority, to achieve the maximum impact. Initial discussions have been held with interests in the Tallaght area about the organisation of the programme.
I should like to express my appreciation of the Minister's very lengthy reply. Would it be fair to sum it up by saying that he has made no progress at all in reducing unemployment in the Tallaght area? Could he make a statement now regarding the very positive Kiltalown project which was discussed during an Adjournment debate where there are real employment prospects to be created from local sources? Will he assure the House that a positive response will be forthcoming shortly?
I could say that if I were to withdraw all the resources I mentioned in that very lengthy reply Deputy Taylor would have far more problems than he has at the moment. I appreciate the difficulties in Tallaght and the efforts the Deputy has put into the Kiltalown project. The maximum grant of the YEA is not sufficient for the requirements of the area. Deputy Taylor has highlighted on a number of occasions the fact that over 80 per cent of people are out of work in that locality and that resources are not available. At his request I have asked the Youth Employment Agency to look at it again and, following a Private Notice Question from Deputy Taylor some weeks ago, I have asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce to look at some of the projects mentioned. I am aware that there are a number of people who are in a position to take up space if this project goes ahead. I hope to be able to give a full reply, if not before Christmas, then early next year.
I appreciate that.
Could the Minister tell the House whether the AnCO training centre in Tallaght has been involved in training people who are in employment? If so, how many of the total number of trainees last year were employed persons?
I do not believe that any of the 1,700 trainees would have been in employment but I would need to check it. There were 185 first-year off-the-job apprentices included in the figure of 1,700. The courses on offer ranged from employable skills, skills foundation, travellers' workshop, community workshop, community youth training programme and community response. These courses would not have been taken by people in employment.
Is the Minister satisfied that there are no courses being run in Tallaght which are specifically for those who are sponsored by their employers?
Some of the individuals working in Tallaght would be sponsored but I presume they would be first-year apprentices. There are many evening courses available in Tallaght. The vast majority of people taking the courses I have mentioned would not be in employment. Some of the apprentices would be sponsored. The percentage placement of non-sponsored people came to 77 for employable skills and 91 for first-year off-the-job apprentices. The vast majority would not be in employment.
Deputy George Birmingham for a final supplementary. We cannot dwell unduly on one question.
I want to ask about heavy goods vehicle driving licences or coach driving licences.
I am sorry. I have called the other Deputy. The Chair will be obeyed.
Has the Minister met or has he any plans to meet members of the local COMTEC?
I was at the launch of the COMTEC programme and met the entire committee and the communities involved.
Is the Minister aware that there is a certain disappointment within the membership of that committee at a number of decisions taken by the Government, for example, the fact that the long awaited regional technical college appears to be disappearing into the distance? In order to encourage the members of COMTEC in their work, would the Minister arrange an early meeting with them?
Not only did I meet the COMTEC committee but all the other committees involved, including the committee Deputy Taylor spoke about. I have no objection to meeting the COMTEC committee again. The other question is a matter for the Minister for Education. There are many other courses offered in the AnCO training centre. I will check the position in relation to heavy vehicles and give the information to Deputy Colley.