Vol. 418 No. 9
4 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Labour if he intends to increase the resources of the Employment Equality Agency in 1992; whether he has satisfied himself that the agency are receiving sufficient funding to provide an adequate and efficient service in all the areas under their aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Notwithstanding the severity of the constraints which have been imposed and maintained on current public expenditure, the Government provided an increase of 6.3 per cent for 1992 over the level of the Employment Equality Agency's 1991 allocation. I am satisfied that the funding is now at a level which will enable the agency to discharge their functions satisfactorily.
The additional funding which has been made available to the Employment Equality Agency this year will enable them to develop the equality focus award scheme, which was instituted in 1990 to stimulate companies to incorporate equal opportunity programmes within their personnel policies. The Government's support for this kind of promotional activity reflects their acknowledgment in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress that progress on employment equality is dependent on statutory protection, complemented by positive action programmes at the level of the individual organisation and at national level.
In addition to the funding provision for the Employment Equality Agency, it is relevant to mention that my Department are also responsible for supporting the equality officer service of the Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court in carrying out their investigative and adjudication functions. The agency's function as an independent statutory body with advisory and enforcement powers under the equality statutes is complemented by the equality officer service of the Labour Relations Commission and by the Labour Court.
There are few member states of the European Community which have a counterpart to the Employment Equality Agency in terms of their role as an independent, statutory body responsible for discharging a combination of advisory, promotional and enforcement functions.
I propose to use the opportunity which will be provided to me in advancing proposals for reform of the two employment equality statutes to look closely at the agency's organisation and structure and at their capacity to discharge their promotion and law enforcement roles. I have been considering the views of the Employment Equality Agency, the ICTU and the FIE in this regard. I have also made it clear that I look forward to the clear sighted thinking on organisational issues which I believe can be expected from the Second Commission on the Status of Women which is due to report in the summer.
I appeal for the utmost brevity now in the hope that I may be able to dispose of the remaining Priority Question.
I find it alarming that the Minister is satisfied with the resources allocated to the Employment Equality Agency. I am surprised he is not aware that they work on a shoestring. For example, this weekend the Employment Equality Agency are holding an advice centre on sexual harassment but they cannot afford to advetise it. Is the Minister satisfied that the lack of resources prevent the agency from carrying out their work adequately? Furthermore——
For very obvious reasons, I asked for brevity but I am not getting a response.
The agency should be provided with resources to employ a research officer. How can you deal with the problem if you do not have such an officer?
In my 20 years as a Member of this House I have never known an agency which was satisfied with the allocation of money. I pointed out in my reply that an increase of 6.3 per cent was provided for 1992 over 1991 and I am satisfied that the agency are funded to do their work.
