asked the Minister for Labour (a) if the Employment Action Team have as yet formulated any proposals for action in regard to employment; (b) if so, if he will state these proposals; (c) the number of persons who are now in employment directly attributable to the activity of the Employment Action Team; and (d) the kinds of employment in which such persons, if any, are engaged.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment Action Team.
1.
The Employment Action Team submitted their first set of proposals to me some time ago. The team made five proposals as follows: Community fitness programme; Work experience programme; Environmental improvement schemes programme; Apprentice recruitment by the local authorities; Employment of young people on the survey work.
These proposals with the exception of that for a community fitness programme which is still being studied by the Minister for Health, have been approved in principle by the Government, and arrangements are being made to implement them.
The Minister for the Environment has already announced his proposals for the implementation of the environmental improvement schemes programme which will be undertaken by local authorities. Details of the programme, which have been prepared in consultation with my Department, will be notified to local authorities within the next few days.
Regarding the scheme for the recruitment by local authorities of additional first-year construction industry apprentices the Minister for the Environment has finalised details concerning the funding of the scheme. Detailed arrangements for implementing the scheme will be notified to the local authorities shortly.
I want to pursue this important matter by way of a few questions. The question I put down asked about numbers and the Minister's reply does not give any such information. Can the Minister tell us how many jobs are envisaged in the five categories of work which he has mentioned and how many people are now at work in these five categories?
The team were set up specifically for the purpose of creating schemes for youth employment. I have outlined the different schemes. The budget proposals implement most of them. The overall numbers covered by the scheme are approximately 4,000, and naturally certain arrangements had to be made before the schemes could be introduced.
Though I appreciate all that, it is six months since the team first met. They have a dynamic sounding title and had a very high profile during the election and in the manifesto which put the Minister where he is. Can he tell the House how many persons six months later are at work drawing a weekly wage in consequence of the work of this action team?
I have outlined the position. The Deputy expressed disappointment. My disappointment is that during his time as a member of the Government he did not see his way to laying the foundations so that we could have done this immediately.
I have asked the Minister twice how many people are at work as a result of the setting up of this Employment Action Team and I still have not heard. I know the projected number is 4,000 but I want to know how many are at work in consequence of the team's operations.
I have explained in detail to the Deputy the present position of the schemes. Indicative of our commitment as a new Government was the setting up of this action team which I regard as a major step forward. The team consist of employer and trade union interests, youth interests and Government Departments. They had to examine the situation and they reported to me before Christmas the result of that examination of certain schemes. Most of those required Government approval. In addition, finance had to be provided. It was provided in Fianna Fáil's first budget. As the Deputy can see, no delay has taken place since then. There was the announcement in recent days by the Minister for the Environment of a scheme the details of which are due to go out to the local authorities. An appalling situation obtained in the intake of apprentices by the local authorities prior to the investigation by the team.
Does all that flummery boil down to this, that there is not one person at work as a result of this team's operations?
I have said that the structure is there for the provision of these jobs and money has been provided.
Not one job except that of a full-time secretary. Is it not a fact that there has been a resignation from the team?
That is a separate question but I will answer it if the Chair allows me.
The Minister may not answer it. I am calling the next question.
2.
asked the Minister for Labour when the Employment Action Team are scheduled to publish their report; and his policy on the future of this committee.
3.
asked the Minister for Labour if it is his intention to wind up the Employment Action Team.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 2 and 3 together. The Employment Action Team report to me on any proposals they develop in relation to youth employment. The team submitted their first set of proposals to me some time ago and the Government later took a decision on them. An outline of the proposals was given in the budget statement and has been included in other statements since then. Formal publication of the team's proposals will be considered.
The team have other proposals under consideration at present. Apart from developing and putting forward proposals, however, the team were also given the function of monitoring progress in the implementation of schemes which are approved. The team will, therefore, continue in operation as long as is necessary.
This team have become a monstrous charade. Back in August the Minister said the emphasis would be on action but after six months not one job has been created, and in view of a resignation and impending resignation from the team because of dissatisfaction at the lack of action, would the Minister agree it is nonsense and that one person could achieve much more?
To put the records of the House straight I should say that if there has been a resignation from the team it was for reasons other than suggested by the Deputy. It was in the interest of the continued satisfactory operation of the team.
Will the Minister tell us why the proposals from the team have remained on the Cabinet agenda for the past four months without a decision?
Was the Deputy here for my first reply? I gave that answer in reply to the first question.
It was that there have not been any jobs.
Will the Minister tell us if the Cabinet have taken a decision in recent weeks on any proposal from the team? My understanding is that the proposals are on the agenda at Cabinet level but that no decision has been taken.
Would the Minister not tell the House that several members of the team have come to the conclusion that it is only a cosmetic exercise and a pretence on the part of the Government to which members of the team do not any longer wish to contribute?
I am sure the Deputy is aware that £5 million was provided in the budget for youth employment schemes. Is the Deputy objecting to the provision of money for that purpose?
I am objecting to the hoodwinking of the public.