Vol. 502 No. 4
29 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals, if any, she is considering for the restructuring of the existing local employment service network; if contracts for the delivery of the service will remain with the area based partnerships locally; if any changes will be made in consultation with existing partners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8315/99]
I intend in the very near future to bring proposals to Government to establish a new organisational framework for the employment services in Ireland. These proposals are being brought forward against a general background of falling unemployment and a tightening labour market, the development of enhanced employment/placement services by FÁS, the ongoing expansion of the local employment service, and the adoption of a preventative strategy, consistent with European employment guidelines, aimed at inhibiting extended youth and long-term unemployment.
Our employment service is currently organised on a dual basis, comprising the FÁS employment service and the local employment service (LES) with each managed and operated under a separate authority. There has been an increasing convergence between the roles and client base of the two services with all the dangers that that represents in terms of potential duplication of resource and effort as well as lack of co-ordination and complimentarity in responding to the needs of unemployed people. It is essential, accordingly, that the services are organised and developed to optimal effect to ensure the best results from the resources invested.
I am confident that the new organisational arrangements which I will be proposing on foot of an extensive period of consultation with all interested groups, including the social partners will for the first time, give the partnership perspective a role in the national employment service while continuing to have regard to the partnership dimension at local level in particular in relation to the operation of the LES.
