asked the Minister for Labour the efforts which have been made to seek EC funding for special measures to promote employment and with what results; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Since taking up office the Minister for Labour, has continuously endeavoured to obtain the support of his fellow EC Social Affairs Ministers for measures at European level to promote employment. There is a widespread acceptance among the Ministers of the need for more Community action in the employment field. Unfortunately, the current budgetary crisis in the Community has militated against the efforts to secure additional Community funding and, indeed, has severely curtailed the amount of money available for employment and training measures as for other areas. Nevertheless, it is his intention to continue to press for new Community initiatives and more Community funding for job creation measures, particularly for less-developed Community regions.

The amount of assistance which Ireland, through the agency of the Department, obtains from the European Social Fund for vocational training and employment-related programmes continues at a high level. We have sought and obtained an EC commitment of funding towards the cost of implementing the special new schemes introduced by the Department, namely, the social employment scheme, which is aimed specifically at the long term unemployed, and the enterprise allowance scheme, which assists unemployed persons to set up in self-employment. The total amount of European Social Fund assistance expected to be approved for Ireland in 1986 is just over £169 million of which £4.4 million is for the social employment scheme and £3.9 million for the enterprise allowance scheme.

The Minister mentioned a figure of £169 million. Is this in relation to employment or is it the total expenditure?

The total amount of the European Social Fund assistance is £169 million, of which £4.4 million is for the SES and £3.9 million for the enterprise allowance scheme.