Observation (CEACR) - adopted 1992, published 79th ILC session (1992)

Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (No. 122) - Ireland (Ratification: 1967)

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.