strategy statement03 - 05

Performance Indicator: Action Plan completed by end 2003 in agreement with the Department of Education and Science.

Drive the implementation of the recommendations of the

Expert Group on Future Skills Needs;

Performance Indicator: Progress on implementation to be published in EGFSN Reports.

Consolidate our programmes to enhance employment

opportunities for people with disabilities, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness;

Performance Indicators: Implementation, as appropriate, of recommendations contained in the review of the Supported Employment Programmes, and the review of Vocational Training for People with Disabilities.New initiatives developed or launched.

Community Employment: In conjunction with the Cabinet

Sub-Committee, continue to manage the transition to a more focused active labour market dimension and to contribute to future policy and structures on the community services dimension;

Performance Indicator: New Community Employment model to be developed for consideration by the Government by mid- 2003.

Begin roll-out of the preventative strategy to those unemployed

for longer than six months;

Performance Indicator: Roll-out of earlier intervention initiative completed by end 2003.

Continue to work with the EU in the area of labour market

policies and initiatives (see Pillar Five for specific actions and Performance Indicators), and ensure continuing linkages between the ESF and the European Employment Strategy.

Work permits/migration

Facilitate the publication and support the consideration by the

Oireachtas of the Employment Permits Bill 2003;

Performance Indicators: A new statutory basis for economic migration in the context of EU enlargement put in place by April 2003. Comprehensive Employment Permits Bill published by mid-2003.

Put in place administrative structures to prevent fraud and

contrived arrangements across the full range of instruments facilitating economic migration;

Performance Indicator: New arrangements to be implemented as soon as possible, subject to the staffing resources being put in place.

Develop a medium–term economic migration policy, including

consideration of a formal programme of permanent economic immigration.

Performance Indicator: Policy statement to be published in 2004.

Employment Rights and Entitlements

Contribute to social partnership and meet commitments made

and arising during the Programme for Sustaining Progress.