Ruairí Quinn
Question:10 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the recent activities the National Centre for Partnership has undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10517/98]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - National Centre for Partnership.
In my previous replies to the House on the work of the National Centre for Partnership, I outlined the aims and work programme of the centre. Since March, when I last updated the House, progress has been made in a number of areas.
There have been a number of important developments in the public sector. In the Civil Service, the Department of Finance and Civil Service unions have now agreed on the role and constitution of partnership committees for each Department. These committees will comprise management, trade union and staff nominees. One of their first tasks will be to develop modernisation programmes for various Departments and offices as set out in Partnership 2000. My Department has now set up its committee and it is expected that other Departments will do so shortly.
The National Centre for Partnership, in conjunction with the Centre for Management Organisation and Development in the Department of Finance, has also begun preparation of training materials for those involved in the partnership process. The materials will cover such areas as public sector change, joint problem solving, consensual decision-making and communications.
The centre is also providing facilitation services to public service organisations in the local government and health sectors where unions and management have decided to develop their own partnership system. A number of commercial semi-State bodies are also interested in this process and have asked the centre to assist them by providing advice, information and facilitation. In the private sector, the first of a series of briefing conferences for employers, trade unions and employee representatives is currently being planned and will take place next month. It is also planned that similar conferences will take place in other parts of the country during the remainder of the year.
It is also envisaged that the first National Centre for Partnership bulletin will be produced shortly. This is aimed at chief executives, human resource managers and trade union officials and will contain examples of best practice and also general information on partnership. The centre has an important role to play in facilitating and developing partnership. It will continue to have my support and encouragement in its endeavours.
Will the Taoiseach not agree that, while there has been reasonably good progress on the public sector side of the activities of the National Centre for Partnership, the same cannot be said for the private sector side? Will he outline what steps, if any, he intends to ensure the centre will take to intensify the private sector side of the debate? Are there plans to house the National Centre for Partnership in a location other than in the midst of Government Buildings?
Deputy Quinn already raised that issue with me. The National Centre for Partnership has opted to remain in its office. It has no contact with my Department other than having an office there for a small number of staff.
The Deputy is right that there is more activity on the public sector side and that we are concentrating on driving that forward. I hope the briefing conferences and seminars and the publication of the centre's bulletin will help the private sector side. It has evolved over the past ten months since its establishment. It did not get its full staff until the autumn. They have put together a pack on best practices in developing partnerships in the private or public sector. We in the public sector can push the agenda, which we are doing, but we also need people in the private sector to come on board. People should be conscious that this is a commitment in Partnership 2000. That is why I emphasised the bulletin's approach. It is aimed at senior management and human resource managers to ensure they realise the considerable benefits senior executives can gain from this process.