Written Answers. - Relocation of Customs Staff.
William Cotter
Question:
109
Mr. Cotter
asked the
Minister for Finance
the assistance available to a customs clearance company which decides to diversify its activities by purchasing, for instance, an hotel or other enterprise in order to remain in business after 1st January, 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
William Cotter
Question:
110
Mr. Cotter
asked the
Minister for Finance
the amount of funds drawn down to date by the Government from the Interreg Programme for the purpose of assisting and relocating customs officers and customs clearance agents and their employees after the completion of the Single Market; the way in which such funds will be disbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
William Cotter
Question:
111
Mr. Cotter
asked the
Minister for Finance
the amount of funds drawn down to date by the Government from the European Social Fund for the purpose of assisting and relocating customs officers and customs clearance agents and their employees after the completion of the single market; the way in which such funds will be disbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
William Cotter
Question:
112
Mr. Cotter
asked the
Minister for Finance
the amount of funds drawn down to date by the Government from the measures outside the structural funds for the purpose of assisting and relocating customs officers and customs clearance agents and their employees after the completion of the Single Market; the way in which such funds will be disbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109, 110, 111 and 112 together.
As regards customs officers, the ultimate aim is to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, a career is provided for all Customs and Excise Staff in, or close to, their present location.
On the question of assisting customs clearance agents to adapt to the single market EC support can be provided under three headings: the Social Fund, Interreg and measures outside the Structural Funds, which are the subject of a Regulation now before Council.
The operations eligible for ESF support relate to training and job creation. As far as Interreg is concerned, the Commission has identified four specific areas
—restructuring of the companies concerned
—retraining and reorganisation of staff
—adaptation of goods-handling sites at frontiers
—the creation of replacement jobs
In addition to the above measures, the Commission has included a one-off budget heading of ECU 30 million in the draft Community Budget for 1993. These resources are designed to provide assistance for the areas of the Community which are particularly dependent on customs clearance activity and to assist the companies most severely affected to maintain employment through diversification. The measures to assist these companies will include assistance in planning and restructuring, market research and technology transfer, co-financing of conversion investment, diversification and restructuring. A draft Council Regulation to implement these measures is now under discussion.
The Department of Labour has applied for 30,000 ECU under a small EC Budget line in 1992 to provide information and advisory services for customs clearance staff.
At a meeting with the Departments and State Agencies involved at end September, it was agreed that customs agents would liaise with FÁS in relation to training/retraining proposals. FÁS staff are currently in discussions with firms which could result in agents availing of existing FÁS programmes or courses being organised to meet specific needs of individuals and firms in this sector. It was agreed also that proposals would be drawn up by the agents and discussed with the appropriate Stage Agencies for submission to the Commission under existing measures or the new ad hoc proposals.
