On 17 December 1997 I informed the House that in accordance with a Government decision taken in October 1996 the future of social partnership structures has been reviewed in consultation with the social partners in the context of Partnership 2000. The review had taken account of the views of both the National Economic and Social Forum and the National Economic and Social Council which are representative of all strands of social partnership. Based on the outcome of that review and in response to the views put forward by NESC and NESF and in particular the NESF report No. 16, A Framework for Partnership, I informed the House on 4 February that the Government had announced on 19 December its decision to reconstitute both organisations on a statutory basis. In the interim both NESC and NESF were reconstituted on a non-statutory basis and I understand their inaugural meetings are due to take place in the near future. With regard to legislation, the Government recently approved the drafting of a Bill to place both on a statutory footing.
The terms of reference of both bodies have been revised to ensure that their activities are fully complementary. NESC will continue to provide strategic analysis to its reports and will develop a framework within which discussions on future national programmes will take place. NESF will focus on the detailed monitoring of initiatives taken in the context of social partnership especially with regard to social exclusion and long-term unemployment. The membership of both bodies is being changed to reflect more fully the various strands of the social partnership process.
The composition of the new bodies is as follows: the NESC comprises five nominees from each of the four social partner pillars, five representatives from Government Departments, one of whom will be a county manager representing local government interests and five independent members, one of whom will represent local government interests. The NESF will comprise 15 Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, five nominees from each of the business, trade union and farming pillars, 15 representatives of non-Governmental organisations, five representatives of Government Departments, five local government representatives and five independent members.
The main changes in composition relate to the inclusion of local government representation and community and voluntary representation on the NESC and the inclusion of Government Departments and local government representatives on the NESF. The terms of office of members of the NESC and NESF will be for a period of three years during which time members may nominate alternates.
As regards administrative arrangements, the Office of Public Works is seeking a premises where both the NESC and NESF can be accommodated. This will be a requisite for facilitating better co-operation and sharing support services between both bodies which is being investigated by my Department.