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European Council Meetings.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 June 2004

Thursday, 17 June 2004

Questions (60, 61)

David Stanton

Question:

52 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the outcome of the most recent meeting of the Employment Council which was held in Luxembourg; the recommendations that have flowed from this Council meeting; the actions the Government intends to take on foot of this meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17944/04]

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Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

59 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the main features of the labour market reforms agreed by EU Employment Ministers at their meeting on 1 June 2004; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18053/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 59 together.

The Employment Social Policy Health and Consumer Affairs Council met on 1 and 2 June 2004 in Luxembourg. I chaired the employment items on the agenda. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, chaired the social protection items and the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Dea, chaired the equality items. The health agenda was chaired by the Minister for Health and Children, DeputyMartin, on 2 June.

The Council reached political agreement on the 2004 employment guidelines and on a recommendation on the implementation of member states employment policies. The employment guidelines and the recommendations will form the basis for the national employment action plans, which are to be submitted by the member states to the Commission by October 2004.

The labour market reforms cover the areas which the European Employment Taskforce identified as needing priority attention by member States: increasing adaptability of workers and enterprises; attracting more people to enter and remain on the labour market; and investing more and more effectively in human capital and lifelong learning.

These areas have been given practical application through a series of specific recommendations for individual member states which, in the case of Ireland, include the following: increase access to active labour market measures for a larger share of the unemployed and inactive population and ensure their effectiveness; increase the supply aid affordability of child care facilities and take urgent action to tackle the causes of the gender pay gap; and implement a coherent life-long learning strategy to reduce early school leaving and increase participation in training, especially for the low-skilled and for older workers.

The overall employment package has been submitted for endorsement by the EU Heads of State at the European Council meeting in Brussels on 17 and 18 June 2004.

At the June Council meeting I also briefed my colleagues on the work of the Irish Presidency on an amended proposal for a directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents — optical radiation. The Irish Presidency is now in the final stages of preparation of a revised draft for a Council directive in this important area. The proposal will be formally presented at the Council Working Party before the end of June.

Full details of the June Employment Council meeting can be found on the Europa website at www.Europa.eu.int.

Question No. 53 answered with QuestionNo. 21.
Question No. 54 answered with QuestionNo. 6.
Question No. 55 answered with QuestionNo. 42.
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