Vol. 395 No. 9
15 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Labour the present arrangements for training and education in the trade union movement; the amount of money provided in the 1990 Estimates for this purpose; and if he has any plans for expansion in this area.
33 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Labour if he has any plans to increase the resources available for trade union development and training in Ireland in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 33 together.
My Department provide an annual grant to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions towards the cost of running their education, training and advisory service. A provision of £701,000 has been included in my Department's Estimates for 1990. The ICTU and individual trade unions also receive financial support from the trade union training support scheme administered by FÁS for particular training courses which they organise. In addition my Department subvent the National College of Industrial Relations in respect of their industrial relations courses, which are availed of by many trade union officials. I expect the level of funding to continue for the foreseeable future.
Would the Minister consider that this is an area to which a certain degree of extra priority should now be given? Given the very peaceful state of industrial relations at present, which we cannot assume will continue forever, would he not accept that it should be a priority of industrial relations policy to ensure that there is proper training in education for trade union officials, shop stewards, etc, so that they can understand the economic context in which they are negotiating and the implications of those negotiations?
I could not disagree with anything the Deputy has said. It is for that reason I have sought in the last three budgets and in the Estimates to increase the amount of money available in that area even though the amount available for other areas was being cut back quite substantially. There is always a need for more improvements and I would not be against trying to do this. Apart from the £700,000 provided directly by the Department, a number of schemes, including the technical assistance grants administered by FAS are designed to promote efficiency in manufacturing industry and distribution and grants are paid towards the cost of training trade union officials and representatives, particularly in the area of productivity, technique and procedures. The amount of money allocated this year for the trade union support scheme is £390,000, which is in addition to the £700,000. I agree this is an area that should be looked at each year because under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act passed last year we look to the trade union movement for their help and co-operation in making that Act effective.
Let us now come to deal with other questions.
I should like you to clarify a matter for me. As a result of the Minister taking Questions Nos. 15 and 33 together, it is not now possible for me to raise a question on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Ferris, who put down Question No. 33. I believe it is an abuse of Standing Orders to take oral questions in conjunction with priority questions because it automatically excludes the Deputy who put down the oral question from putting a question to the Minister.
I am sorry to disappoint the Deputy but it is normal practice.
