Peadar Clohessy
Ceist:26 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the meetings he has had with the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed, the ISME and the SFA since taking office. [8101/95]
Written Answers. - Long-term Unemployment.
Since taking office, I have had one meeting with the Irish National Organisation for the Unemployed at which we discussed the new local employment service, community employment and other issues relating to long term unemployment. My colleague, the Minister for Labour Affairs, has also met with INOU to discuss issues in relation to long term unemployment.
I have also met with each of the councils of the ISME and the SFA at which we discussed a broad range of issues affecting the small business sector including access to funds, budgetary issues, competition, regulatory framework and their relations with various State agencies. I have also participated in various events organised by both bodies as part of the ongoing dialogue which myself and my Department has with the representative bodies of the Small Business Sector.
My colleague, the Minister for Commerce, Science and Technology, has attended a quarterly lunch meeting arranged by the ISME, at which a number of general issues of concern to that body were discussed.