Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Part 2 Sustaining Progress
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The sub-committee will consider recommendations on how to improve the availability of quality
childcare for working parents and how the supply of pre and after school care can be accelerated. In
particular, the committee will examine and make recommendations on the feasibility of establishing
workplace childcare arrangements such as those listed below:
■ provision of specific supports to facilitate employers and unions to work together to both design
and implement a range of childcare supports appropriate at the level of the enterprise/s.
■ greater targeting of resources towards promoting the active participation of employers in
developing and providing childcare initiatives, in consultation with the unions.
Fully Inclusive Social Insurance Model
12.7 A Working Group was established under the PPF to produce proposals for the development of a fully
inclusive social insurance model which would facilitate combining work and family responsibilities in
the context of changing working and social patterns.
12.8 It is recognised that many of the issues identified by the Working Group require further examination.
The Working Group will complete this examination and prepare a report.
Section 13: Equal Opportunities
National Framework Committee for Equal Opportunities at the level of the Enterprise
13.1 The parties agree that the National Framework Committee for Equal Opportunities at the Level of the
Enterprise established under the PPF will continue in operation. The work of the Committee will
include: developing and disseminating practical supports for the equal opportunities workplace,
supporting individual projects and engaging with equality planning and equality reviews. The
activities of the Committee will be supported by a specific budget.
Disability
13.2 The Government will bring the consultation process on disability legislation to conclusion as soon as
possible. A Disability Bill will be published by Autumn 2003, with a view to its enactment by the end
of 2003.
Training Policy for People with Disabilities
13.3 In June 2000, as part of the Government policy of mainstreaming of services for people with
disabilities, responsibility for vocational training services for certain people with disabilities transferred
from the Department of Health and Children to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The Department of Health and Children retained responsibility for rehabilitative training.
13.4 Rehabilitative training focuses on the development of an individual’s core personal capacities i.e. lifeskills,
social-skills etc. to each individual’s level of capability.