Vol. 493 No. 3
76 Mr. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will instruct her Department to carry out a fact finding review of Sweden's active labour market policies; and, if so, if she will report on the results to Dáil Éireann. [15935/98]
My Department has a clear interest in the direction active labour market policy throughout the European Community and the OECD and is in constant contact with fellow member states in this regard. This is achieved through active participation and representation on many European Union and OECD policy committees, discussion groups, and other labour market policy fora. Through such participation my Department has an opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise with policy makers from around the globe and to keep abreast of developments in this area.
Recent Swedish active labour market policy is summarised in the Swedish employment action plan of April 1998, of which my Department has a copy. Officials from my Department will have further opportunities to participate in discussions with European counterparts concerning the employment action plans at forthcoming meetings in Brussels on the implementation of the action plans, which will take place in the period ahead. The exchange of views with the Commission, and with other member states will help inform the ongoing development of our own labour market policies, having regard of course to the macroeconomic conditions applying here.
I do not consider a fact finding mission to Sweden to study their recent active labour market policies is necessitated.
