asked the Minister for Labour if he is aware of the demands of certain trade unions concerning the approvals and running of special employment schemes; if he is aware that approval for these schemes is only given by trade unions on the condition that the people employed become members of the trade union involved; that the organisers of these schemes have to act as recruitment officers for the said unions and that the contributions to the trade union has to be deducted by the organiseers of the scheme on a weekly basis at a sum set out by the union and forwarded to the union on special forms showing the names of the members and the amount deducted from each one; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
258.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the social employment scheme. In order to accelerate the processing of work projects under this scheme some project sponsors, particularly local authorities, have entered into negotiations with local branches of trade unions as a result of which agreements have been reached on matters such as staffing levels, supervision and union membership. Any such commitments have been entered into freely by the employing bodies. Since it is intended that the normal employer-employee relationships should prevail under the scheme it is not my intention to interfere in this process.
To ensure that all projects comply with the conditions of the scheme a monitoring committee comprised of representatives of the Department of Labour, Department of the Environment, AnCO and ICTU oversees the operation of the scheme on a national basis.
259.
asked the Minister for Labour when the social employment scheme will be approved for Rathmore-Barraduff-Killarney as recommended by Kerry County Council.
An application under the social employment scheme by Kerry County Council in respect of the project referred to was originally submitted to the local National Manpower Service office at Killarney in April 1985.
At the request of the county council, the project was deferred, however, indefinitely so that priority could be given to other Kerry County Council sponsored projects which were considered more urgent.
The Manpower Service confirmed to the county council that it would postpone the processing of the application in favour of the council's subsequent, more urgent applications, and informed the council that should they wish to reactivate the Rathmore-Barraduff-Killarney project at a later date, they should resubmit it to the local NMS office. To date no request to reactivate the project has been received by the Manpower Service in Killarney.