Vol. 420 No. 7
13 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the various programmes provided by his Department to prepare people for emigration; if he considers these programmes adequate; if he has any plans to improve and expand the existing programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Government's approach to providing help for persons looking for work abroad is based on FÁS, through their national network of offices, providing counsel and advice to intending emigrants and outlining the various options which are available. FÁS have a statutory obligation to provide such services. Policy guidelines have been issued to FÁS, based on the principles of discouragement of unplanned and unprepared emigration and the need for national policy to support EC policy on Intra-European mobility.
The guidelines require FÁS to provide counselling and information services on the job situation and working conditions in other EC member states; the display of vacancy notices under the EC-sponsored SEDOC system; and the development of bilateral contacts between FÁS and the national employment services in the main destination countries.
FÁS provide an information and advice service to their clients and also include modules about emigration issues in appropriate training courses. In recent times FÁS have, under the aegis of the EC, embarked on the process of developing special links with the employment services of the Netherlands and Germany. In addition, in co-operation with the state employment service in Britain, FÁS have set up a transfrontier committee on which voluntary bodies are also represented. Part of the remit of this EC-sponsored committee is to examine ways of improving pre-departure services.
Because of the ready access to Britain most of the problems associated with unplanned emigration tend to occur there. For that reason I consider the transfrontier committee to be particularly important. Already, under the aegis of the committee, a special weeklong orientation programme is available in London for newly-arrived emigrants, especially those who did not adequately prepare themselves for emigration. Similar projects are being explored for the Netherlands and Germany. I would urge all persons intending to emigrate to consult FÁS in advance. It is clear that better use of the services they provide would lead to a reduction in the problems encountered by emigrants.
I should also like to mention the work of DÍON, the Advisory Committee on Emigrant Welfare Services, who are at present in the process of advising me on the annual payment of £500,000 in grants to non-statutory bodies assisting Irish emigrants in Britain. DÍON are also assisting the non-statutory bodies to coordinate their services and clarify their aims. Their articulation of the needs of the Irish community and the problems facing emigrants is a valuable service.
I am keeping all these services under review in consultation with FÁS and DÍON. It is my intention, as circumstances require, to make what adjustments as may be called for from time to time. I would voice my intention to improve and develop these services, as resources permit.
Could the Minister indicate what percentage of our emigrants use the services of FÁS in terms of advice etc. on emigration? Would he not agree that FÁS should make a better effort to advertise the services they offer? Would he not agree that in all advertisements placed by FÁS in the media they should include the services they provide regarding emigration, because people are not aware of those services?
I will bring the views of the Deputy to the authorities in FÁS in terms of what she regards as the inadequacy of the publicity of these services, although I am not so sure that her comments are justified. The other matter raised by the Deputy is a statistical matter and if she puts down a separate question I will provide the information.
Does the Minister consider that the allocation of £500,000 to DÍON is sufficient? This organisation have from time to time made representations to Deputies in this House regarding underfunding. Bearing in mind the importance the Minister places on the work of DÍON could he not at least increase their contribution this year in line with inflation? The allocation of £500,000 is not enough to cope with the problems they face.
I would point out to the Deputy that that amount is significantly greater than the amount provided under the administration he supported.
Emigration was not as great then.
It was, and I will give the Deputy the statistics. Net migration from this country this year is 1,000.
It was not as great.
If the Deputy does not want to hear the reply, that is fine. I am giving a factual reply to his question.
The Minister is making snide remarks.
It is not a snide remark; it is a fact. I am putting in context the level of support this Government are giving compared with that of previous administrations, and that is a very factual thing to do.
The amount has been static for the past number of years.
I am sure that if Deputy O'Sullivan was in my place and had that information he would make it available to the House. The allocation for grant assistance was doubled in 1989 from £250,000 to £500,000 in response to the rise in net emigration at that stage. Net emigration has decreased since but we have maintained that level of funding.
It is not sufficient.
I would be disposed, if resources permitted, to consider an increased level of funding. I can assure the Deputy and the House that with the funding they are getting the DÍON Committee are providing an excellent service to many non-voluntary bodies who are putting those resources to the best possible use.
