Michael Ring
Ceist:181 Mr. Ring asked the Taoiseach the reason women who work in the home are recognised in Europe but are not recognised or allowed to take part in the Sustaining Progress Partnership discussions here. [21849/03]
Written Answers. - Social Partnership.
I presume the Deputy's question refers to the organisation Women In The Home. In inviting organisations which had sought inclusion in social partnership to make their case for inclusion, the criteria for recognition by Government as social partners were set out that organisations be national and representative in nature, have the capacity to meet the demands and obligations that arise as part of this participation and add to the capacity of the social partnership process to address issues effectively. Following consideration, Government decided that Women In The Home did not meet the criteria.
Following completion of the review of models of participation provided for in An Agreed Programme For Government, Government invited nine organisations to join the social partnership process. I can assure those organisations which have not been admitted to the process that their views and experiences are and will continue to be taken into account by Departments and agencies in the consultative process, outside the framework of social partnership. It is only possible for those who are social partners to have a role in implementing Sustaining Progress.