strategy statement03 - 05

Implement our sustainable development strategy aimed at

addressing the challenges of doing business in a sustainable way, while also maximizing the business and competitiveness opportunities presented.

Performance Indicators: Progress to be reported on each year in the Department’s Annual Report, to identify any obstacles and to facilitate any revision of priorities or timeframes which may be required. An overall evaluation of the success of the Strategy to be carried out in the second half of 2005, in order to inform priorities for subsequent strategies.

Goals

Figure from page 61

We will ensure that labour market policy responds to changing skills needs and we will prioritise investment that delivers better jobs, lifelong learning for all and enhanced social inclusion.

We will further enhance quality employment by improving and enforcing employment rights and entitlements and promoting industrial peace and effective dispute resolution.

High Level Performance Indicators for Goals

LWorkplace change issues identified and addressed through the

Forum on the Workplace of the Future;

LProvision of a quality regulatory framework for Employment

Rights through conformity with EU and core ILO and Council of Europe standards on Employment Rights and Health and Safety;

LCompletion of the legislative programme on Employment

Rights, including Health and Safety and Industrial Relations;

LMeet our quality customer service targets in the provision of

statutory entitlements;

LCompletion of a programme of reviews of active labour market

measures;

LExtent of implementation of recommendations of Expert

Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN);

LDevelopment of an action plan for the implementation of the

recommendations of the Task Force on Lifelong Learning;

LRate of progression to employment from Department-funded

Active Labour Market Programmes (ALMPs) by major programme type;

LExtent to which Social Partnership contributes to

competitiveness, inclusion and employment;

LAppropriate and timely adjustments made to ESF co-funded

Programmes and Measures under the National Development Plan to ensure that they continue to meet Ireland’s Labour Market needs going forward.

Training and Employment Supports

Review, on a programme basis, FÁS active labour market

schemes and training supports, including delivery mechanisms, to ensure that they focus both on the needs of business and on the needs of the most marginalised and disadvantaged groups to help maximise their progression to the open labour market;

Performance Indicator: Complete reviews of supports to the long-term unemployed and of the national employment service.

Oversee the development of an Action Plan to implement

policy for Lifelong Learning in response to the report of the PPF Task Force;