Séamus Pattison
Question:59 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Labour if he will publish a White Paper on the long term unemployment situation, including the full range of possible solutions.
Written Answers. - Long Term Unemployment.
A ministerial committee on employment set up in 1989 recommended a range of measures for employment creation and help to the disadvantaged. This committee had before it comprehensive information and a full range of possible solutions on employment issues generally, and the long term unemployed in particular. The committee's recommendations were agreed by the Government and announced by me on 27 September 1989. I am now anxious to see this pragmatic set of proposals on employment creation fully implemented. The position of the long term unemployed is kept under constant active review, within my Department, in discussions with the social partners and in the ministerial committee on employment. In these circumstances it is not my intention to publish a White Paper on long term unemployment.
I would remind the Deputy that action to assist the long term unemployed features as the major item on the agenda of the Social Affairs Council during our EC Presidency.
Any example of good practice in relation to the long term unemployed from other EC countries which comes to light in discussions on this issue, will be examined to establish its usefulness in the Irish situation.