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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received since 2005. The Committee trusts that the Government will be able to provide a detailed report on the application of the Convention, including information on the following matters.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and labour market policies. The Committee invites the Government to provide an assessment of the impact of its active labour market measures. It would also appreciate receiving information on how the measures taken to promote full and productive employment operate within a “framework of a coordinated economic and social policy”.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the consultations held with representatives of the persons affected, both at the stage of the formulation of employment policies and in relation to the implementation of the measures adopted under such policies.

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received since 2005. The Committee trusts that the Government will be able to provide a detailed report on the application of the Convention, including information on the following matters.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and labour market policies. The Committee invites the Government to provide an assessment of the impact of its active labour market measures. It would also appreciate receiving information on how the measures taken to promote full and productive employment operate within a “framework of a coordinated economic and social policy”, including information on the achievements of the National Action Employment Programme, in terms of employment generation.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the consultations held with representatives of the persons affected, both at the stage of the formulation of employment policies and in relation to the implementation of the measures adopted under such policies.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2010.]

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The Committee notes with regret that the Government’s report has not been received. It refers to its 2005 direct request, and requests the Government to submit a report, for examination by the Committee at its next session, containing information on the following matters.

Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. Employment trends and labour market policies. The Committee invites the Government to provide an assessment of the impact of its active labour market measures. It would also appreciate receiving information on how the measures taken to promote full and productive employment operate within a “framework of a coordinated economic and social policy”, including information on the achievements of the National Action Employment Programme, in terms of employment generation.

Please also provide information on the impact of the legislation adopted in 2005 on the issuance of work permits and on the integration of migrant workers in the Irish labour market.

Article 3. Participation of the social partners. The Committee asks the Government to provide information on the consultations held with representatives of the persons affected, both at the stage of the formulation of employment policies and in relation to the implementation of the measures adopted under such policies.

[The Government is asked to reply in detail to the present comments in 2009.]

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It hopes that a report will be supplied for examination by the Committee at its next session and that it will contain full information on the matters raised in its 2005 direct request, which read as follows:

The Committee takes note of the detailed information contained in the Government’s report for the period ending in May 2005.

1. Employment trends and labour market policies. The Government indicates that the country benefited from the good performance of the international economy in 2004 and that the number of people employed grew by 3 per cent, compared to 1.9 per cent in 2003. The unemployment rate fell to 4.4 per cent in 2004 from 4.6 per cent in 2003. Employment growth is expected to remain strong, forecast at 2.9 per cent, while unemployment, forecast at 4.2 per cent, is expected to remain low. The Government states that, in its second Implementation Report on the 2003‑05 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, the European Commission noted that Ireland’s ability to sustain relatively high growth rates and a low unemployment rate constituted evidence of the inherent flexibility of its economy.

2. As regards long-term unemployment, the Government recalls that it has been falling sharply and steadily for over a decade. Between 1993 and 2000, long-term unemployment fell by 84 per cent. In fact, the long-term unemployment rate dropped from 9 per cent in 1993 to 1.4 per cent in 2004. The Government explains that its current policy focus is now being put on increasing the skill levels of low-skilled employees and in-company training. Investment in training by employers and the development of programmes to facilitate both the unemployed and employees adapt their skills through further training and reskilling is critical to future employment growth. The Government also refers to various programmes such as the Task Force on Lifelong Learning, the Back to Work Allowance Scheme and the Back to Education Allowance Scheme. The Committee takes due note of this information and looks forward to receive from the Government in its next report an assessment of the impact of its active labour market measures. It would also appreciate receiving further information on how the measures taken to promote full and productive employment operate within a “framework of a coordinated economic and social policy”. Please also include in the Government’s next report information on the achievements in terms of employment generation of the National Action Employment Programme (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

3. The Government indicates that immigration of skilled labour from non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries has continued to grow substantially in recent years, as shown by the increase of work permits issued. In the light of the EU enlargement and the consequent increase in unemployment at EU level, changes have been made in the Work Permit Scheme which seek to ensure that persons in the domestic and EEA labour markets are given first opportunity to avail job vacancies. To this effect, the Government decided to allow full freedom of movement to nationals from the ten new Member States of the EU from 1 May 2004, and consequently to restrict non-EEA migration to highly-skilled/highly-paid employments. New legislation was published on 29 June 2005, which should be enacted at the end of 2005, and which will govern Ireland’s economic migration policy and systems. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of this new legislation on the issuance of work permits and on the integration of migrant workers in the Irish labour market.

4. Participation of the social partners. The Committee asks the Government to keep providing information on the consultations held with representatives of the persons affected, both at the stage of formulating employment policies and in relation to the implementation of the measures adopted under such policies, as required by Article 3 of the Convention.

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The Committee takes note of the detailed information contained in the Government’s report for the period ending in May 2005.

1. Employment trends and labour market policies. The Government indicates that the country benefited from the good performance of the international economy in 2004 and that the number of people employed grew by 3 per cent, compared to 1.9 per cent in 2003. The unemployment rate fell to 4.4 per cent in 2004 from 4.6 per cent in 2003. Employment growth is expected to remain strong, forecast at 2.9 per cent, while unemployment, forecast at 4.2 per cent, is expected to remain low. The Government states that, in its second Implementation Report on the 2003-05 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines, the European Commission noted that Ireland’s ability to sustain relatively high growth rates and a low unemployment rate constituted evidence of the inherent flexibility of its economy.

2. As regards long-term unemployment, the Government recalls that it has been falling sharply and steadily for over a decade. Between 1993 and 2000, long-term unemployment fell by 84 per cent. In fact, the long-term unemployment rate dropped from 9 per cent in 1993 to 1.4 per cent in 2004. The Government explains that its current policy focus is now being put on increasing the skill levels of low-skilled employees and in-company training. Investment in training by employers and the development of programmes to facilitate both the unemployed and employees adapt their skills through further training and reskilling is critical to future employment growth. The Government also refers to various programmes such as the Task Force on Lifelong Learning, the Back to Work Allowance Scheme and the Back to Education Allowance Scheme. The Committee takes due note of this information and looks forward to receive from the Government in its next report an assessment of the impact of its active labour market measures. It would also appreciate receiving further information on how the measures taken to promote full and productive employment operate within a "framework of a coordinated economic and social policy". Please also include in the Government’s next report information on the achievements in terms of employment generation of the National Action Employment Programme (Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention).

3. The Government indicates that immigration of skilled labour from non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries has continued to grow substantially in recent years, as shown by the increase of work permits issued. In the light of the EU enlargement and the consequent increase in unemployment at EU level, changes have been made in the Work Permit Scheme which seek to ensure that persons in the domestic and EEA labour markets are given first opportunity to avail job vacancies. To this effect, the Government decided to allow full freedom of movement to nationals from the ten new Member States of the EU from 1 May 2004, and consequently to restrict non-EEA migration to highly-skilled/highly-paid employments. New legislation was published on 29 June 2005, which should be enacted at the end of 2005, and which will govern Ireland’s economic migration policy and systems. The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the impact of this new legislation on the issuance of work permits and on the integration of migrant workers in the Irish labour market.

4. Participation of the social partners. The Committee asks the Government to keep providing information on the consultations held with representatives of the persons affected, both at the stage of formulating employment policies and in relation to the implementation of the measures adopted under such policies, as required by Article 3 of the Convention.

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The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s detailed reports for the period ending May 2003 and the useful documentation attached.

1. Articles 1 and 2 of the Convention. The Committee notes with interest that the objectives the Government set in its Employment Action Plan for 1998 in regard to long-term unemployment have been successfully attained. Between 1993 and 2000 long-term unemployment as a percentage of total unemployment went from 9 per cent to 1.2 per cent, representing a total decrease of 84 per cent. The Government states that the dramatic reduction in long-term unemployment in a relatively short period of time is a remarkable achievement and a significant contribution towards reintegrating a disadvantaged group of workers into the labour market. More recent labour force survey data show that during the period in question labour force growth has continued to exceed employment expansion, with the result that unemployment has also continued to increase. In the first quarter of 2003, the unemployment rate stood at 4.6 per cent as compared to 3.7 per cent for the first quarter of 2001. In terms of employment growth, the public sector has exhibited the most significant increase in job growth while employment in agriculture has continued to decrease.

2. The Government explains that with the aim of reducing consistent poverty it has adopted a national anti-poverty strategy that serves as a coherent framework for actions to tackle exclusion and disadvantage in society. The national anti-poverty strategy is reviewed in consultation with the social partners with discussions focusing on six main themes: educational disadvantage; employment; rural poverty; urban disadvantage; housing/accommodation; and health. The Government also states that it has concluded an agreement with the social partners, Sustaining Progress - Social Partnership Agreement 2003-05, in which it sets out several main objectives, including to maintain Ireland’s international competitiveness through policies that encourage enterprise and investment, to ensure that those in work have a fair share in the increased national prosperity, to substantially increase resources allocated to social inclusion, and to enable Ireland to become a learning, knowledge-based society, with the capacity to embrace with confidence the opportunities offered by technological change. The Committee takes note of this information with interest and hopes the Government will continue to provide information on the agreements and partnerships established with social partners and the impact they may have on attaining the objectives of this Convention. Please also continue to provide more general information on how employers’ and workers’ representatives are consulted, as required by Article 3 of the Convention.

3. The Government states that it has implemented a range of policy and legislative instruments to meet the goal of increasing the female labour force participation rate. Recent legislative developments such as increased maternity leave and the introduction of the Carer’s Leave Act, 2001 and the Part-time Workers Act, 2001, are meant to facilitate women’s retention of and advancement in employment. Additionally, in terms of childcare investment, the Government has allocated €437 million under the National Development Plan 2000-06 which has already supported an additional 12,200 childcare places. The Committee notes that the relatively strong growth of female employment in recent years has been an important feature in maintaining labour supply in a rapid growth context. Between 1998 and 2003 female employment increased by 26 per cent, while male employment grew by 15 per cent.

4. The Government indicates that immigration from non-European Economic Area countries has grown substantially in recent years. Work permits issued have increased from 6,000 in 1999 to 36,000 in 2001. Due to the increase in unemployment, it has introduced changes in the work-permit scheme to ensure that persons in the domestic and European Economic Area labour markets are given first opportunity to avail themselves of job vacancies (see observation under the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111)). Between 1998 and 2002 the proportion of non-nationals in the Irish labour force increased from 3.3 to 5.4 per cent. The total amount of non-European Economic Area nationals has increased most rapidly in recent years, going from 10,000 in 1998 to over 40,000 in 2002. According to the Government, new legislation to regulate immigration and work permits is currently being drafted and is to be introduced in the Irish Parliament in the autumn 2003 session. The Committee requests that the Government continue to provide information on the impact of the new legislation adopted on the integration of migrant workers in the Irish labour market.

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1. The Committee notes that the Government’s report due in 2000 has not been received. It trusts that the Government will provide full information in the report due in 2002 on the issues raised in its 1999 observation.

2. The Committee notes the observations of the Scheme Workers’ Alliance, supported by the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union, received in September 1999, as well as the reply of the Government. The Scheme Workers’ Alliance has alleged that the employment Action Plan violates the requirement of freedom of choice in employment established in Article 1 of the Convention by requiring people in receipt of unemployment benefits for more than 12 months to either accept work or participate in a training programme. The Committee recalls that requiring persons in receipt of unemployment benefit for more than six months to accept either training or a job offer, as a means of facilitating re-entry of the long-term unemployed into the labour market, is not inconsistent with the objective of promoting full, productive and freely chosen employment.

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The Committee notes that the Government’s report has not been received. It must therefore repeat its previous comment which read as follows:

1.  The Committee notes the information contained in the Government’s report for the period ending September 1998. As of April 1999, the unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent, according to Eurostat. The Government states that the long-term unemployment rate was down to 5.6 per cent as of 1997, and that employment has grown by 7.5 per cent since 1995 and 84 per cent of new jobs are full time. The Government states that its main economic policy objectives are to secure and strengthen the capacity for sustainable employment, economic growth and social inclusion. To this end, a tripartite committee has secured agreement on public finances, a firmly fixed exchange rate, a coordinated wage strategy, and a commitment to economic and social solidarity.

2.  The Committee notes with interest the Government’s substantial progress in bringing down youth unemployment, from a peak of 27 per cent in 1993 to about 9 per cent as of April 1999, according to Eurostat. The Government states in its report that all persons 25 years of age and under in receipt of unemployment benefits for more than 12 months "are placed in job training or other constructive programmes" as provided for under the Employment Action Plan of April 1998. The Committee would appreciate receiving specific examples of such programmes and any evaluations which have taken place, as well as being kept informed of further changes in the youth unemployment rate.

3.  In addition to tackling youth unemployment, the Employment Action Plan aims to reduce the percentage of long-term unemployed more generally. In its report the Government acknowledges that long-term unemployment remains too high, and indicates its aim of creating employment opportunities for those seeking work. The Committee notes this information and requests further details on the success of the Employment Action Plan in reducing long-term unemployment, particularly for male workers over the age of 45 and workers with relatively low skill levels.

4.  Lastly, the Committee notes the information contained in the report on the independent evaluation of the human resource development programme undertaken by the Government. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of any follow-up action taken in light of the report’s recommendations, particularly as it affects prospective employment opportunities, as requested in paragraph 3 of the report form under Article 1 of the Convention.

5.  The Committee notes the observations of the Scheme Workers’ Alliance, supported by the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers’ Union, alleging violation of Article 1 of the Convention relating to freedom of choice in employment. It has received the Government’s reply too late to deal with at the present session and therefore defers comment on the issue raised until its next session.

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1. The Committee notes the information contained in the Government's report for the period ending September 1998. As of April 1999, the unemployment rate was 6.8 per cent, according to Eurostat. The Government states that the long-term unemployment rate was down to 5.6 per cent as of 1997, and that employment has grown by 7.5 per cent since 1995 and 84 per cent of new jobs are full time. The Government states that its main economic policy objectives are to secure and strengthen the capacity for sustainable employment, economic growth and social inclusion. To this end, a tripartite committee has secured agreement on public finances, a firmly fixed exchange rate, a coordinated wage strategy, and a commitment to economic and social solidarity.

2. The Committee notes with interest the Government's substantial progress in bringing down youth unemployment, from a peak of 27 per cent in 1993 to about 9 per cent as of April 1999, according to Eurostat. The Government states in its report that all persons 25 years of age and under in receipt of unemployment benefits for more than 12 months "are placed in job training or other constructive programmes" as provided for under the Employment Action Plan of April 1998. The Committee would appreciate receiving specific examples of such programmes and any evaluations which have taken place, as well as being kept informed of further changes in the youth unemployment rate.

3. In addition to tackling youth unemployment, the Employment Action Plan aims to reduce the percentage of long-term unemployed more generally. In its report the Government acknowledges that long-term unemployment remains too high, and indicates its aim of creating employment opportunities for those seeking work. The Committee notes this information and requests further details on the success of the Employment Action Plan in reducing long-term unemployment, particularly for male workers over the age of 45 and workers with relatively low skill levels.

4. Lastly, the Committee notes the information contained in the report on the independent evaluation of the human resource development programme undertaken by the Government. The Committee would appreciate being kept informed of any follow-up action taken in light of the report's recommendations, particularly as it affects prospective employment opportunities, as requested in paragraph 3 of the report form under Article 1 of the Convention.

5. The Committee notes the observations of the Scheme Workers' Alliance, supported by the Amalgamated Transport and General Workers' Union, alleging violation of Article 1 of the Convention relating to freedom of choice in employment. It has received the Government's reply too late to deal with at the present session and therefore defers comment on the issue raised until its next session.

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1. The Committee took note of the Government's report for the period ending June 1996. It notes that, according to the most recent OECD data, the upward trend in the employment situation already visible at the end of the previous period has been clearly confirmed. With the marked expansion of economic activity, total employment growth reached 3.5 per cent in 1994, 4.4 per cent in 1995 and 4 per cent in 1996. Despite the continued growth of the active population, the unemployment rate was brought down to 11.3 per cent in 1996 as compared to 14.2 per cent in 1994. The Government nevertheless considers that the unemployment rate is still unacceptably high and that in particular there is a high incidence of long-term unemployment which accounts for about 60 per cent of total unemployment and affects more particularly low-skilled workers and workers over the age of 45.

2. The Government states that its policy to achieve full employment in the future is still based on the Programme for Competitiveness and Work and the National Development Plan 1994-99, both agreed with the social partners. The Committee notes however that, for the most part, the information in the report covers only active labour market, social protection and training measures. It would be grateful if the Government would also supply information, as it has done in the past, on the components of general economic policy which most affect employment. In this connection, the Committee notes that the significant decline in unemployment was achieved while inflation and budget deficit were kept under control. It asks the Government to describe in its next report how measures taken in areas such as monetary, budget, exchange rate and incomes policies contribute to the pursuit of the employment objectives of the Convention.

3. The Committee notes the description of the active labour market policy measures which aim in particular to make work more attractive through income tax and social insurance adjustments, and to promote the reintegration of the long-term unemployed through public employment programmes, the Back-to-Work Allowance Scheme and the Employers' Social Insurance Exemption Scheme. The Committee refers to its previous request and asks the Government in its next report to provide any available evaluations of the effectiveness of each of the numerous programmes pursued in terms of the effective and lasting integration in employment of the beneficiaries. More generally, it hopes that the measures taken as part of general economic policy and labour market policy will contribute to further confirming the trend towards lower unemployment.

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1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1994 and the useful documentation attached. It notes that, as a result of an economic growth rate that is without equal among the other European countries that are parties to the Convention, employment continued to grow over the reference period, to start with at a modest rate (0.5 per cent and 0.6 per cent in 1992 and 1993), then at a more sustained rate (2.6 per cent in 1994 and again 2.4 per cent in 1995, according to OECD estimates). Despite the simultaneous rise in the active population, unemployment fell as of 1993, with the OECD standardized unemployment rate falling to 14.8 per cent in 1994, from over 16 per cent in 1992. However, the Government states that the rapid growth of production has been accompanied by very high productivity increases which have tended to diminish its favourable impact on employment. The Committee notes that despite the trend for the unemployment rate to decline, which has continued in 1995, it remains at a very high level. Furthermore, although labour market policy programmes have contributed to a significant decline in the unemployment rate for young persons, the proportion of long-term unemployment has continued to rise and now represents around half of total unemployment.

2. The Committee notes that, in its programme for 1993-1997, the Government has set itself the priority objective of "putting the country back to work" by reinforcing incentives to work in the framework of a mixed economy which, with a dynamic role for both the private and public sectors, is the most effective means of promoting employment and raising living standards. This programme emphasizes that support for employment growth is dependent on maintaining control over public finances, since meeting the requirements of the 1992 Treaty on the European Union as regards the budget deficit is the overriding requirement. The Government also states that its active intervention is required to promote job opportunities, particularly in combating long-term unemployment, which has to be the priority of all the social partners. The Committee notes with interest in this respect that the organizations of employers and workers concluded with the Government a new Programme for Competitiveness and Work (1994-1996), which establishes strategies for incomes policy and budgetary and social policies according to their expected impact on employment and unemployment. It notes that the National Development Plan, 1994-1999, which was formulated in consultation with the organizations of employers and workers, establishes the principal objectives of government action to promote employment in the context of an integrated strategy for industrial development and the reinforcement of training. The Government also transmits the first report on the reform of the support enterprise system based on the recommendations of the Industrial Policy Review Group (Culliton report).

3. With reference to its previous observation, the Committee notes the reforms which have been undertaken to reinforce the training system, particularly by placing emphasis on the development of further training activities for workers in employment. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would also supply information in its next report on the training measures and the other active labour market policy measures implemented by the Government with a view to promoting the reintegration of unemployed persons. It also requests the Government to continue supplying information on any new measure that is taken or envisaged with a view to improving the coordination of education and training polices with employment prospects. In this respect, it draws attention to the complementarity of the provisions of Convention No. 122 with the Human Resources Development Convention, 1975 (No. 142).

4. In conclusion, it would appear that, despite the performance of the economy and the social consensus on the strategies and policies to be adopted for growth and on incomes and employment, it is nevertheless the case that the level of unemployment, and particularly of long-term unemployment, remains exceptionally high in comparison with other European countries. The Committee notes the affirmed will to increase the intensity of employment growth, and notes that the Economic and Social Research Institute has recently re-examined the question of "jobless growth", which it noted in its previous observation. The Committee invites the Government to pursue its efforts to analyse and overcome the difficulties encountered in achieving the objectives of full, productive and freely chosen employment, as set out in the Convention. The Committee hopes that future reports will contain information demonstrating the effectiveness of the policies and programmes pursued in this respect and will confirm the tendency which has been noted for an improvement in the employment situation.

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1. The Committee notes the Government's report for the period ending June 1992 and the useful documents attached to the report. It also refers to OECD studies and notes that total employment stopped increasing during the above period. The growth in the active population and the reversal of migratory flows have resulted in a substantial increase in the unemployment rate since 1990. The OECD's standardized unemployment rate, which is determined on the basis of a survey of the active population, was 13.7 per cent in 1990 and rose to 15.6 per cent in 1991 and nearly 17 per cent in 1992. Registered unemployment, determined on the basis of the statistics of the employment services, transmitted by the Government, rose from 16.5 per cent in 1990 to more than 21 per cent at the end of the period. Furthermore, there is a high rate of long-term unemployment (60.7 per cent of total unemployment in 1990), which particularly affects young persons. Both on the grounds of the level of unemployment and its structural characteristics, the employment situation remains a matter of great concern. It is also striking to note that this situation has developed in a context of relatively high economic growth (around double the average for OECD countries). The Committee would be grateful if the Government would make an analysis of this phenemonon of growth without employment and would describe the relationship between employment objectives and other economic and social objectives (Article 1 of the Convention). See point 4 below.

2. The Government states in its report that its employment policy is intended to ensure the economic stability which is needed for the growth of production and employment, particularly by seeking a consensus on income developments and undertaking structural reform with a view to improving competitiveness. It considers that the success of this approach has been seen in the slow but sustained growth in industry and services and the favourable export performance, even during a period of world recession. The Government states in this respect that the objective of creating 20,000 additional jobs per year set out in the Programme for National Recovery, 1987-90, was fully attained and was included once again in the new Programme for Economic and Social Progress (PESP), for the period 1991-93. The Committee notes with interest that this Programme, which was agreed upon by the Government and the social partners in January 1991, sets as its major objectives economic growth and raising the standard of living, a substantial growth of employment and combating long-term unemployment. It notes that unemployment is identified as the principal problem in the country by all of those responsible for economic policy and that a tripartite committee has been set up to monitor the implementation of the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would continue to supply information on the achievement of the employment objectives of the above Programme, with an indication of the particular difficulties which have been encountered in attaining them and the extent to which they have been overcome.

3. The Government emphasizes that vocational training is an integral component of its employment policy and supplies information on the implementation and results of special employment and training programmes, particularly in favour of young persons, women and the long-term unemployed. The Committee notes in this respect that the Report of the Industrial Policy Review Group (the Culliton Report) concluded that the system of training for work and at work is inadequate for the needs of the economy and made recommendations relating in particular to the organization of the Training and Employment Authority (FAS) and the allocation of its resources. The Committee requests the Government to state in its next report the measures which have been taken or are envisaged following these recommendations with a view to ensuring greater coordination of education and training policies with prospective employment opportunities.

4. Finally, the Committee notes that a Joint Parliamentary Committee on Employment was recently established to examine all aspects of economic and social policy which have a bearing on employment creation and the alleviation of unemployment, including the effects on employment of the tax system, industrial incentives and the social protection system. It would be grateful if the Government would supply information on the recommendations made by this Committee and the effect given to them.

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1. The Committee notes the Government's two successive reports for the periods 1 July 1988 to 30 June 1989 and 1 July 1989 to 30 June 1990. According to the information supplied by the Government and contained in OECD reports and surveys, the dynamic economic activity during the period under consideration (GDP growth rates of 5 and 6.6 per cent respectively for 1989 and 1990) has been accompanied by rapid employment growth (3.3 per cent in 1990), and a substantial decrease in the unemployment rate, which fell from 16.7 per cent in 1988 to 15.6 per cent in 1989 and 13.7 per cent in 1990, according to the OECD standardised rates. The young persons share of unemployment has decreased slightly, although the proportion of the long-term unemployed among total unemployed persons remains stable at around 45 per cent. However, the deterioration of the employment situation since the end of the period covered by the report has threatened the achievements of two years of sustained growth: the unemployment rate in 1991 rose steeply to a level of 15.8 per cent, which was slightly higher than the rate in 1989. With reference to its earlier comments, the Committee notes that the employment situation, which is characterised by one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, remains a matter of great concern.

2. The Government states that the improvement in the employment situation during the period covered by the report is a result of the measures that it has taken to create an environment which is favourable to the development of the economy, particularly by controlling public finances. It emphasises that the implementation of its policy has been strengthened by the support of the social partners, with whom it concluded in October 1987 a general agreement establishing a three-year Programme for National Recovery. The climate of confidence and stability to which this gave rise permitted an increase in investment, greater competitiveness by enterprises, an improvement in living standards and the creation of more jobs. The Committee notes that the tripartite Central Review Committee set up to review and monitor progress in implementing the Programme for National Recovery indicated in its report of February 1990 that the objective of creating 20,000 jobs per year had been achieved in 1988 and 1989. The Government also describes the industrial policy measures intended to promote the development of a competitive industrial and service sector and thereby contribute to employment growth. It states that this policy is now tending to encourage the research and marketing activities of enterprises.

3. The Committee notes the information concerning labour market policy measures, which refer in particular to the promotion of self-employment and training. It also notes the information supplied by the Government in its reports on the application of Conventions Nos. 88 (employment service), 1948 and 142 (human resources development), 1975, which mention in particular the introduction of programmes to promote the vocational integration of unskilled young workers and the long-term unemployed.

4. The Committee notes the publication in March 1989 of the National Development Plan 1989-93, which provides for a series of structural measures which the Government proposes to implement in conjunction with the European Community Structural Funds, and which sets the objective of creating 100,000 jobs over the period in question. The Committee would be grateful if the Government would supply a copy of this Plan and if it would indicate in its next report the results achieved in attaining the employment objectives set out in the Plan. The Committee also requests the Government to continue supplying detailed information on the measures taken by the Training and Employment Authority (FAS), and in particular on the scope of the various programmes and their results in terms of the integration of the persons concerned in employment. In view of the persistence of the worrying employment situation, the Committee hopes that the Government will pursue, as a major goal, an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment.

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1. The Committee takes note of the Government's report for the period ending June 1988 and the appended documents.

2. The Committee notes that the primary element in the Government's strategy for job creation is to create an environment conducive to investment and economic growth, generated by fiscal and monetary policies. The Government takes the view that the several key features in the performance of the economy (real GNP rose by 5 per cent in 1987) will aid employment creation and thus lessen the high level of unemployment. The cornerstone of Government employment policy is the Programme for National Recovery, a plan for achieving growth along with the maintenance of social equity, agreed upon, in October 1987, by the Government, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, the Federated Union of Employers, the Confederation of Irish Industry, the Construction Industry Federation, the Irish Farmers Association, the Young Farmers Association and the Irish Co-operative Society. One of the major strategies of the Programme, which is to extend to the end of 1990, is to create viable jobs in the legitimate economy and not in the "black economy" according to the report. In the creation of new employment, it divides the economy into sectors and contains a series of specific measures and job targets, in particular the creation of 20,000 manufacturing jobs per year over the next ten years.

3. The Government report also supplies information on developments concerning its labour market policies. The Committee notes that under the Labour Services Act, 1987, the Training and Employment Authority (FAS) was established in January 1988, and that it now deals with the roles previously performed by the National Training Authority (AnCO), the National Manpower Service and the Youth Employment Agency. The major concerns of the FAS are to provide or encourage training and retraining for employment, to provide assistance in obtaining work experience and to contribute to the process of job creation through employment schemes, public employment, self-employment and to provide job placement and guidance services for the unemployed.

4. The Committee notes, from the Government's report and more recent data (Quarterly Economic Commentary of the Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin, August 1984; 1989 OECD Economic Survey) that, after a slight fall in employment in 1987, the current employment picture appears to be a little more favourable. At the end of June 1988, the unemployment rate was 18.1 per cent, compared with a rate of 18.7 per cent in June 1987. Registered youth unemployment fell at a faster rate, but the number of unemployed aged 45 years or over increased, and about 45 per cent of the registered unemployed had been out of work for over one year. Further to its previous comments, the Committee notes that the employment situation remains a matter of great concern. The level of unemployment is one of the highest of the European countries (well above the average estimated rate for the region at 10.2 per cent in 1988), despite high and rising net emigration rates and a decline in the labour force participants.

5. In view of the above, the Committee would be grateful if the Government would, in its future reports, provide information on progress made in attaining the employment objectives of the Programme, stating whether special difficulties have been encountered in this connection and indicating how far they have been overcome. Furthermore, it trusts that the Government will also forward copies of the discussion document announced in the Programme, which was to review legislative issues related to employment policies (unfair dismissal, employment equality, payment of wages); and the impact on employment creation of the measures taken by the Training and Employment Authority (FAS). The Committee hopes that the Government will make every effort to pursue, as a major goal, an active employment policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment in conformity with Article 1 of the Convention. It hopes that the Government will keep the measures taken for obtaining these objectives under close review, as required by Article 2 and that it will ensure, as required by Article 3, the necessary consultations with employers' and workers' organisations concerning the measures taken to implement the Convention.