Vol. 514 No. 3
6 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 1 December 1999, the way in which the National Centre for Partnership's training programmes for the private and public sectors are being delivered; the measurement mechanisms to monitor the success of the business plan for the joint delivery of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1720/00]
7 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach if, further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 1 December 1999, he has received the report of the consultants engaged to evaluate the progress made on partnership in both the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1721/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
As I indicated to the House on 7 December, the National Centre for Partnership, established under Partnership 2000, has undertaken a significant amount of work in the past year. In December 1998 a training programme for the development of partnership in the public sector workplace was launched. The programme entitled Working Together is designed to help managers, trade union representatives and employees to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a partnership approach at the level of the workplace. It is of use to trainers and facilitators who are working with partnership groups and in particular groups which are getting started. The programme is available without charge from the NCP by attendance at half day briefings on the materials and their usage. To date, approximately 100 organisations have attended these briefings.
For the private sector, a 13 module joint partnership training programme, together with a supporting 25 minute video is available. This programme was developed jointly by the NCP, IBEC and ICTU as a substantial contribution to enterprise level partnership.
A business plan, which has been approved by the board of the centre, for the joint delivery of this programme is being implemented at present. The business plan sets out clear parameters for joint delivery of this programme, together with a monitoring system to measure progress. The programme is still at a pilot stage and is co-ordinated by a steering committee comprising of senior representatives from IBEC, ICTU and the NCP. This committee meets regularly to review progress against agreed objectives set out in the business plan. The steering committee reports progress to the liaison group and the board of the centre. There is a provision in the business plan for an independent evaluation to review the overall effectiveness of the public and in-company pilot phase of the programme.
As I previously mentioned, in addition to the ongoing work of the NCP, an evaluation of the progress made on partnership in both the public and private sectors and the associated role of the NCP is being undertaken in my Department and is nearing completion. As set out in the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, it is proposed to enhance the role of the National Centre for Partnership to support the deepening of partnership in the public and private sectors. Following consultation with IBEC and ICTU, proposals will be made to Government on the detailed arrangements to be put in place to give effect to the strengthened institutional structures required.
(Dublin West): Does the Taoiseach agree it is a damning criticism of the delivery of partnership in the public sector that Dublin Bus drivers' basic wages begin at £207 a week and increase to only £275 a week after six years?
The Dublin Bus dispute will be debated later this afternoon.
(Dublin West): That is a matter for the Minister for Public Enterprise and I have tabled a question to her which you, a Cheann Comhairle, have allowed. However, in so far as Questions Nos. 6 and 7 refer to the delivery of partnership in the public sector, it is appropriate that the Taoiseach should answer my specific question. Dublin Bus drivers lead stressful lives because of the attacks they face.
I have already pointed out to the Deputy that the matter will be debated this afternoon.
(Dublin West): You, a Cheann Comhairle, should ask the Taoiseach to reply because my point relates to these questions. The Taoiseach must defend partnership in the context of workers who are on £207 a week after 13 years of partnership.
As regards partnership in the public sector, the group which is in place and which consists of representatives of Departments with responsibility for various sectors of the public sector, local government, the management services board and health service agencies are progressing the modernisation process in the wider public service. That group is chaired by my Department and it meets on a regular basis. In the past year the group signed up more partnership arrangements in the public sector than has ever been the case. Partnership in the public sector is at last developing and working successfully.
I call Question No. 8.
(Dublin West): I want to ask the Taoiseach a question.
We must proceed because Deputies have tabled questions.
(Dublin West): The Taoiseach's reply is gobbledegook.
We cannot pursue the matter further. I have called Question No. 8.
