Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:428 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Labour if he will set out the legislative and administrative priorities of his Department following his appointment as Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Ministerial Policy.
The major legislative and administrative priorities of my Department at present are:
Industrial Relations — the Labour Relations Commission, established in January 1991 under the Industrial Relations Act, 1990, are expanding their range of services to include a comprehensive industrial relations advisory service for employers and workers. The commission have prepared a code of practice on dispute procedures, including procedures in essential services and are preparing further codes in other areas.
A review of the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts, 1977 and 1988, as agreed in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress is under way.
Occupational Safety and Health — a phased review of existing occupational health and safety legislation is being undertaken by the National Authority for Occupational Safety and Health. Arising from our membership of the European Community, the Authority will be putting forward proposals for a range of secondary legislation to meet obligations which must be fulfilled by the end of 1992. The Authority will continue to give priority to measures for the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases particularly in the new entrant sectors of fishing, farming, education, health services, hotel/catering, retailing and warehousing.
A national liaison committee have been established to co-ordinate activities for the European Year for Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work. The year runs from March 1992 to March 1993 and is a major EC effort to raise awareness among workers and employers of ways to combat hazards in the work-place.
Manpower and Training — a White Paper on manpower policy is in the course of preparation. The White Paper will take account of the Green Paper on Education and the recently published report of the Industrial Policy Review Group. I am hoping to publish the White Paper in mid-year.
A review of the Employment Agency Act, 1971, and the Protection of Employment Act, 1977, is being undertaken in accordance with the Government commitment in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress.
Two new schemes to reduce unemployment and increase the level of in-company training have been launched. The employment subsidy scheme aims to provide 15,000 employment places and the job training scheme aims to provide 10,000 training places. Both schemes will be administered by FÁS. The existing manpower and training programmes run by FÁS and CERT will continue, subject to review where necessary.
A new standards based, as opposed to time-served apprenticeship system has been agreed and the funding arrangements for this new system are under discussion with employers. It is hoped to have the new system in place from next September.
European Social Fund — co-ordination of applications to the EC Commission in relation to assistance for the vocational training and aids to recruitment schemes contained in the eight operational programmes in the Community Support Framework for Ireland. My Department are also co-ordinating the human resource aspect of EC initiatives known as NOW, EUROFORM, HORIZON and INTERREG. Preparations have started in relation to EC support for our human resource development programmes after 1993.
Employment Rights — a Bill to amend the Unfair Dismissals Act, 1977, is at an advanced stage of preparation and it is hoped to bring it before the Oireachtas shortly.
A Bill is being prepared which will propose to create an entitlement to leave from employment for adoptive mothers.
Arising from commitments in theProgramme for Economic and Social Progress, work has commenced on legislative reviews including the holidays and conditions of employment legislation and the employment status of agency workers. The Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, 1973, is also being reviewed in the context of implementing an EC Directive on the contract of employment relationship.
My Department are responsible for servicing the EC negotiations on the proposal by the Council for Directives concerning organisation of working time, protection of pregnant women, posting of workers abroad and the protection of young persons.
The labour inspectorate of my Department will continue to enforce the worker protection legislation, employment regulation orders and registered employment agreements. In addition, other enforcement activities continue including the processing of cases of employers' failure to comply with Employment Appeals Tribunal decisions or to otherwise meet their obligations under conditions of employment legislation.
Employment Equality — legislation in the equality area is being examined and I expect to be in a position to shortly seek Government approval for the drafting of an amending Bill.
Redundancy and Insolvency — administrative procedures to ensure speedy and efficient payments of entitlements under the Redundancy Payments and Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Acts will be kept under review.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:429 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Labour if he will outline the precise actions he intends to take now to promote equality within his Department in general, and in particular to promote qualified women to higher posts within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The issue of equal opportunity is one which I intend to continue to promote in my Department. My Department support the equal opportunity policy and guidelines for the Civil Service.
In line with that policy, my Department have already taken various initiatives to promote equal opportunity among staff, including the organisation of (i) a number of seminars on management and equality and (ii) assertiveness training modules for staff in various grades.
With regard to future actions, I am considering further ways of developing equal opportunities in my Department. One proposal that I have in mind is that my officials will discuss shortly with staff representatives an outline of a more detailed departmental policy in this area.
Finally, with regard to the Department's promotion policy, promotion of staff, both women and men, is on the basis of merit and ability. Consistent with this policy, qualified women continue to benefit from promotional opportunities in the Department.