Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 4

Written Answers. - Customs Clearance Agencies.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

78 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is estimated that 1,116 workers will lose their employment in customs clearance agencies and associated employments on 31st December, 1992 as a direct result of the Single European Market; the plans, if any, he has, in conjunction with the EC, to give financial compensation to these redundant workers; if they will be retrained; and, if so, for which employments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dermot Ahern

Ceist:

81 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fears of employees in the customs clearance agent sector that they may be redundant after 31 December, 1992 as a result of the abolition of frontier controls; the measures, if any, he can take to deal with their situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

82 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Finance the steps, if any, he intends to take to seek European Community Assistance in compensating the employees of customs clearance agents who are due to lose their jobs because of the Single Market from 1st January, 1993.

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 78, 81 and 82 together.

The Government while fully recognising the overall benefits of the Single Market for Irish firms, is very much aware of the threats which the Market poses for certain areas of employment such as customs clearance in intra-Community trade.

While there are no specific arrangements in place to compensate customs clearance agents directly for loss of earnings due to the internal market, there is a broad range of training schemes available from FÁS, as well as advice and grant support schemes from industrial promotion agencies, which is available to individuals and firms wishing to diversify into other areas of business. The EC Commission has put forward proposals for assistance in this area both through the existing Structural Funds and through furtherad hoc measures. The Commission has included a one-off budget heading of ECU 30 million in the preliminary draft budget for 1993 for the special measures throughout the Community. These proposals concentrate on retraining and assistance for developing new businesses and for local development initiatives. There are no proposals for compensatory grants or income supplements.

I can assure Deputies that Ireland has made every effort to ensure that the proposed EC funding is geared to Irish needs and that the State Agencies will provide whatever assistance is feasible through their existing training and industrial promotion schemes.