Vol. 557 No. 1
143 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the overall appraisal of active labour market programmes provided for in Framework IV, section 4.2 of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness has been completed; if the appraisal has been published; if not, if a copy will be placed in the Oireachtas Library; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20905/02]
The Programme for Prosperity and Fairness provides for an overall appraisal of active labour market programmes to be carried out. This work is currently under way under the aegis of the Standing Committee on the Labour Market, which is representative of the social partners and is chaired by my Department. Indecon International Economic Consultants were commissioned by my Department, on behalf of the standing committee, to facilitate a rigorous assessment of the overall effectiveness of existing programmes and to help inform the future deliberations of the standing committee. The consultants' report, which is now near completion, will be circulated to the members of the standing committee in the first instance. I would expect the standing committee to give early consideration to the matter of publication, in view of the likely public interest in its findings.
