Vol. 462 No. 3
108 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the reason for the delay in the publication of the White Paper on Training; if the paper is still being prepared by his officials; the terms of reference set for the preparation of the paper; and when publication is expected. [4640/96]
I would like, first to inform the Deputy that the perspective of the White Paper has been broadened beyond the narrow concept of "training" and will now be entitled a White Paper on Human Resource Development. This paper derives its terms of reference in the first instance from the commitment in the Government's policy document, A Government of Renewal. Its ultimate objective is to define the strategies and policy instruments which will secure an upgrading in the quality of our human capital to the level of best practice in competitor countries; and to improve the opportunities, particularly for those at the margins of the labour force, to gain access to the labour market.
A considerable amount of detailed research and analysis — as well as consultative discussion — has already been undertaken by my Department through the preparatory phase. The inherent difficulties in addressing the range of issues arising, combined with any anxieties to get our policies and prescriptions right, has meant that the drafting process has taken longer than I would have wished. However, the drafting is now at an advanced stage and I would hope to finalise it for submission to Government in the reasonably near future.
