The discussions for a new national economic and social programme opened in Dublin Castle on 23 October 1996 with formal presentations from Government and a wide range of interests, many of whom were represented for the first time at such talks.
The Government has acknowledged that the NESC, and also NESF, have identified the issues for a new programme and have provided very useful suggestions and recommendations. To date the talks are centred on five key strategic areas: macro-economic policy, comprising public expenditure, pay, tax and PRSI; action to promote enterprise and jobs; action to modernise enterprise and further develop workplace partnership; action to modernise the public sector; and action for greater social inclusion and a focus on equality.
My Department's officials are making appropriate inputs to the discussions on each of these five areas, particularly in the context of the need to maintain and improve the competitiveness of Irish-based enterprise. A competitive enterprise sector is the key to raising living standards, maximising the number of self-sustaining jobs and improving social inclusion by, in particular, greater integration of the long-term unemployed into the labour market.
In respect of labour market policy, including action in respect of the long-term unemployed, my Department is promoting policies which support job creation and integrating the long-term unemployed into the active labour force. The Government's record to date is a good one on each of these matters. Under the type of policies this Government is promoting I expect this good record to be continued. The talks on a successor to the Programme for Competitiveness and Work are continuing and making progress.