Vol. 563 No. 1
202 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will include in the partnership pay talks a provision to assist the voluntary and community sector to be exempt from rent charges, particularly those groups at the Northside Civic Centre, Coolock, Dublin 17; and if he will request the Office of Public Works to assist these groups. [6971/03]
As the Deputy will be aware, the negotiations on a successor agreement to the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, PPF, have now concluded resulting in a proposed new agreement entitled, Sustaining Progress, copies of which have been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
In the draft agreement which has emerged, there is a focus not only on wages and the labour market, but a continued framework for consistent policies to maintain our competitiveness and our productive capacity, while progressing our social agenda, including in particular targets under the NAPS.
Sustaining Progress also engages with the social partners in a new, dynamic and highly-focused way on a range of special initiatives, which have a priority in terms of social inclusion and quality of life.
However, the draft agreement between the parties does not make specific provision to assist the sector to which the Deputy refers, to be exempt from rental charges.
The Deputy may wish to take this particular issue up with the Minister of State at the Department of Finance with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works should he wish to pursue the matter further.
