Vol. 512 No. 3
77 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the guidelines, if any, she has been given by the EU for drafting the operational programme for the new EQUAL initiative; the areas of discrimination and inequalities it is designed to combat; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26058/99]
The European Commission has issued a draft document establishing the guidelines for the new human resources EU initiative EQUAL which will run from 2000 to 2006. Essentially, the EQUAL initiative aims to promote new means of combating all forms of discrimination and inequalities in connection with the labour market by developing the skills and employability of the unemployed and renewing and upskilling those already in the labour market, particularly those in the exposed or vulnerable sectors. EQUAL will address selected themes and is based on the four pillars of the employment action plans of the member states encompassing employability, entrepreneurship, adaptability and equal opportunities between women and men. The indicative list is as follows:
Employabilitya)Facilitating entry and re-entry to the labour market in order to promote a labour market open to all,
b)Combating racism in the workplace.
Entrepreneurshipc)Opening up the business creation process to all,
d)Increasing job quality in the social economy, the third sector.
Adaptabilitye)Developing inclusive workplace practices and continuing vocational training,
f)Introducing information technologies, anticipating change and upgrading skills.
Equal opportunities for women and meng)Developing new forms of work organisation to reconcile family and professional life,
h)Reducing gender gaps and supporting job desegregation.
Member states will be expected to choose at least one thematic field in each pillar. The initiative will operate within these thematic fields primarily through integrated projects in development partnerships on either a geographical or sectoral basis or a combination of both and incorporate a strong transnational element. The draft document will be submitted to the European Social Fund committee and the European Parliament in December 1999 and is expected to be published in the EU official journal by February 2000. The operational programme for Ireland, when drafted by my Department with the involvement of appropriate groups and organisations will, subsequently, be submitted to the European Commission in accordance with the terms of the European Social Fund regulations. It is expected that a public call for project proposals will take place in autumn 2000 with a view to project activity commencing late 2000 or early 2001.
