Vol. 438 No. 4
39 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on whether representatives of the unemployed should have a properly resourced structure if it is to effectively participate as an equal social partner; if he will support 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 am satisfied that the needs of the unemployed are adequately represented in the various fora currently in existence such as the National Economic and Social Forum and in the ongoing negotiations for a new programme to replace the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
I have already advised the INOU that direct funding is not available from my Department's Vote for the organisation and suggested that contact be made with the Ministers of State at the Departments of Social Welfare and Finance with a view to exploring ways in which those Departments might be able to provide funding. In this connection, I understand that the Minister for Social Welfare recently decided to allocate funding of £24,000 to the INOU to assist with the employment of a resource worker to co-ordinate the provision of advice and information to the unemployed. The organisation will, of course, be able to participate in the Community Employment Programme in respect of suitable projects.
