Dick Spring
Ceist:345 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Labour if he will give details of the area-based strategy for unemployment; and if he will publish a timetable for its implementation.
Written Answers. - Employment Creation.
Section VII of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress outlined an area-based response to long term unemployment. The twelve area partnerships established in 1991 to pilot the initiative are now preparing area action plans which are expected to be submitted to the Central Review Committee by mid-March.
A sum of £1 million has been allocated in 1992 in the Vote for the Department of the Taoiseach to the Central Review Committee towards staff and administration costs of the partnerships. This is double the amount made available in 1991 and reflects the full year costs involved. The employer organisations have established an Enterprise Trust which will fund projects identified in the area action plans. Discussions are ongoing between the European Commission and the Irish authorities about the global grant for local development announced in the recent Budget Statement of the Minister for Finance. Projects identified in the area action plans will be submitted to the Commission for assistance under the global grant.
In the context of the strategy, the Government is considering further initiatives to help the long term unemployed.
A report on the setting up of the twelve partnerships in 1991 has been prepared by the Combat Poverty Agency at the request of the Central Poverty Committee. The report will shortly be considered by the committee and made available to the partnerships