Enda Kenny
Ceist:42 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, she has to examine the future role and structures of FÁS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13731/97]
Other Questions. - Future of FÁS.
An Action Programme for the Millennium contains a commitment to examine the future role and structure of FÁS. I am not in a position to say what form this examination should take. I will consider a number of options.
What is the Minister's view of the White Paper on human resource development which made a number of policy proposals on the future role and structure of FÁS? Will she put those issues back into the melting pot for a renewed assessment?
I presume the Deputy is speaking about the outgoing Government's White Paper which I read in Opposition. There are many features of that White Paper I would like to have implemented but it would be premature at this stage to say what exactly I intend to do on this matter. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is a difficult issue and for some reason he was not in a position to implement its recommendations. It is vital if our economy is to be competitive, if we are to have a skilled workforce and if the employment opportunities coming on stream are to be availed of by Irish workers that we have a training agency that is flexible and meets those needs. So far as I can, I intend to bring that about but it will take some time. I will give serious consideration to the recommendations in the White Paper prepared by the previous Government.
Having regard to the Minister's reply and what the Taoiseach has already said about the formal devolution of powers to Ministers of State, will the Minister indicate whether she has decided, along with the Taoiseach, to formally delegate these powers and powers specifically for labour affairs, including FÁS, to Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt?
The Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, will have delegated powers which will include labour affairs but not FÁS, consumer affairs, intellectual property and international trade. It is a much wider brief than that which the former Minister of State, Eithne Fitzgerald, had at the Department of Enterprise and Employment. The agencies under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will remain the responsibility of the Minister. I will have widespread consultation, not only with the Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt, and the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Smith, but with other Government colleagues because there are aspects of this matter that involve the former Department of Social Welfare and other Government Departments. It will be a Government response but clearly I will be responsible for implementing it.
I suggest, respectfully, the Minister may wish to reconsider that having regard to the volume of work ahead of her. Has the Minister had an opportunity to consider the future of An Bord Tráchtála having regard to the reintegration of trade in the Department of Enterprise and Employment?
I am delighted trade has been returned to the Department of Enterprise and Employment. It was a mistake to remove it. It is vital for our economy and industry that we are able to compete in international markets since we have to export because of the small size of the internal market. The future of An Bord Tráchtála will have to be considered in the context of Forbairt. I have been less than two weeks in the Department and I do not want to announce my great ideas. I have to consider them and consult other people. There are many people involved in decisions I will make. They are the first who will have to be consulted. I had a preliminary meeting with John Lynch of FÁS. I intend to have further meetings with him and the board of FÁS and other agencies in the near future.