EU Presidency.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 June 2004

Thursday, 3 June 2004

Ceisteanna (6)

Liz McManus

Ceist:

6 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason representatives of his Department were not involved in the recent EU Presidency conference, Migration and Mobility, in Bundoran; his views on whether it is acceptable that his Department was absent from a conference that discussed issues relating to social inclusion that are the direct responsibility of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16790/04]

Freagraí ó Béal (4 píosaí cainte)

Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Mr. N. Ahern)

The conference in question was organised by the Department of Social and Family Affairs as an important element of that Department's contribution to the programme of the Irish Presidency of the European Union.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs is the lead Department on social inclusion issues, both at national and EU levels. However, because of the cross-cutting nature of the issues arising the conference was organised in consultation with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which are the lead Departments in the areas of equality, migration and employment.

The overall policy context for the conference included the European employment guidelines which emphasise adaptability and occupational and geographic mobility, the Commission communication on immigration, integration and employment of June 2003, and the 2003 national action plan against poverty and social exclusion, in particular the focus on the high risk of poverty and social exclusion faced by some men and women as a result of immigration. The target audience for the conference included: members of a number of important EU committees, including the employment committee and the social protection committee; the Administrative Commission on Social Security for Migrant Workers; heads of public employment services; social partners and academics.

The conference programme focused on the twin themes of European labour mobility and skills, and the social inclusion of migrant workers. The primary aim of the conference was to provide a forum for discussion of these issues in a European context among European policy makers. It was not intended as a means of discussing issues which arise in a specifically Irish context. In that regard my officials are in regular contact with their counterparts in other Departments and with the community and voluntary sector in the normal course of their work.

Finally, I refer the Deputy to the detailed reply of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to this House on 28 April in respect of this conference.

Mr. O’Shea

There are elements to the Minister of State's reply that I find reasonable. However, when I read the report, it struck me as odd that there was no representation from his Department at the conference. The rationale behind the setting up of the Department, at which he is a Minister of State, was to streamline the delivery of services. The agendas associated with social inclusion, racism and discrimination concern other Departments, as the Minister of State pointed out, yet they will be addressed by programmes funded by his Department.

Although I take the point that there will be cross-departmental communication and co-operation, it may not be adequate if the Minister of State's Department is not present on every occasion when the issue of migrant workers entering the country by way of permit to take up employment is dealt with. We must concern ourselves with social inclusion, racism and discrimination. There is a need for tightening up.

Mr. N. Ahern

I understand the Deputy's point but, as I said, the conference was organised by the Departments of Social and Family Affairs, Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I believe there were also representatives from the Departments of Health and Children and Foreign Affairs in attendance. Therefore, five Departments were represented. They were very conscious of the desire to discuss the bigger picture in European terms and not to allow the conference to be consumed by local issues pertaining to Ireland or any other country. Migration and mobility are broad topics but the particular themes the conference addressed were labour mobility and skills, and the social inclusion of migrant workers.

We knew about the conference and we are dealing with the issues. Many of the 170 or so community development projects deal specifically with new communities and ethnic minorities, including Travellers. An equality and anti-racism sub-committee has operated within the programme for some years. Moreover, the programme funds a community development support unit within the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism. Therefore, our Department is involved, through the community development projects, with many minority communities.

As I said, there were five Departments represented at the conference. A comprehensive report on everything that was discussed will be produced and will be available to us. The conference very much concerned the European picture and those involved did not want it to be taken over by the minutiae of the social inclusion measures of any specific country.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

I remind the House that there is a limit of one minute on supplementary questions and their answers.