Vol. 425 No. 7
199 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on whether representatives of the unemployed must have a properly resourced structure if they are to effectively participate as an equal social partner; whether he supports the request from the INOU for £150,000 funding over a three year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I met representatives of the INOU on 4 February 1993, at their request and their application for funding of £150,000 over a three year period was among the issues discussed. I indicated at the meeting that I could make no commitment regarding financial assistance as such assistance would have to be decided in the context of a most difficult budget facing the Government and also in the context of the several other demands for assistance from groups assisting the unemployed including unemployed centres. In addition I indicated that perhaps my Department would not be the appropriate one to have responsibility for funding groups such as the INOU.
The organisation will of course be able to continue to participate in the Social Employment Scheme through which it has already received funding of around £168,000. The INOU have also received some £50,000 in aid for a project under the Horizon programme for the disadvantaged in respect of activities in the area of training for support workers in centres for the unemployed.
