Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Feb 2000

Vol. 514 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Partnership.

John Bruton

Question:

17 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach further to reply to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 7 December 1999, the way in which the National Centre for Partnership's training programmes for the private and public sectors are being delivered; the measurement mechanisms to monitor the success of the business plan for the joint delivery of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1720/00]

John Bruton

Question:

18 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 8 of 7 December 1999, he has received the report of the consultants engaged to evaluate the progress made on partnership in both the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1721/00]

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 18 together.

As I indicated to the House on 7 December, the National Centre for Partnership, established under Partnership 2000, has undertaken a significant amount of work in the past year.

In December 1998, a training programme for the development of partnership in the public sector workplace was launched. The programme, entitled Working Together, is designed to help managers, trade union representatives and employees to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a partnership approach at the level of the workplace.

It is of use to trainers-facilitators who are working with partnership groups and in particular with groups that are getting started. The programme is available without charge from the NCP by attendance at half-day briefings on the materials and their usage. To date approximately 100 organisations have attended these briefings.

For the private sector, a 13 module joint partnership training programme together with a supporting 25 minute video is available. This programme was developed jointly by the NCP, IBEC and ICTU as a very substantial contribution to enterprise level partnership.

A business plan, which has been approved by the board of the centre, for the joint delivery of this programme is being implemented at present. The business plan sets out clear parameters for joint delivery of this programme, together with a monitoring system to measure progress.

The programme is still at a pilot stage and is co-ordinated by a steering committee comprising senior representatives from IBEC, ICTU and the NCP. This committee meets regularly to review progress against agreed objectives set out in the business plan. The steering committee reports progress to the liaison group and the board of the centre. There is a provision in the business plan for an independent evaluation to review the overall effectiveness of the public and in-company pilot phase of the programme.

As I have previously mentioned, in addition to the ongoing work of the NCP, an evaluation of the progress made on partnership in both the public and private sectors and the associated role of the NCP is being undertaken in my Department and is nearing completion.

As set out in the programme for prosperity and fairness, it is proposed to enhance the role of the National Centre for Partnership to support the deepening of partnership in the public and private sectors. Following consultation with IBEC and ICTU, proposals will be made to Government on the detailed arrangements to be put in place to give effect to the strengthened institutional structures required.