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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 6 Apr 1995

Vol. 451 No. 7

Written Answers. - Long-Term Unemployment Policy Unit.

Mary O'Rourke

Ceist:

108 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the number of people working in the unit for long term unemployed which he has set up in his Department; the terms of reference of this unit; and his views on the setting of targets for this unit to reduce long term unemployment. [7179/95]

The policy unit on long term unemployment which I am setting up in my Department, is in the process of being established. the head of the unit has been appointed and staff resources will be allocated in the coming weeks.

The terms of reference for this unit are: overseeing the establishment of the local employment service; providing additional funding and other supports for the delivery of the service; approving budget and other resource allocations to the various areas on foot of the local plan; drawing on the advice of community-based and social partner interests as appropriate; liaising with ADM Limited, in the context of the local development programme; resolving inter-agency or policy issues that cannot be resolved at local level; setting standards for the quality of the service, and monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the service.
I also expect the unit to come forward with policy proposals for dealing with long term unemployment and for better co-ordination of the delivery of State services to the unemployed.
The local employment service is being set up initially in the 12 established area based partnerships and in two non-partnership areas. Specific targets will be developed for each area in consultation with the partnership boards and the local management committees.
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