Brussels, 16/10/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has approved the "Operational Programme" (OP) for employment and the development of human resources in Ireland for the period 2000-2006. The total budget is EUR 14.2 billion, including EUR 0.9 billion cofunded by ESF assistance, and the remainder by public and private funds. It is one of the seven programmes intended for the implementation of the Community Support Framework (CSF) for Ireland approved by the Commission in June. Built around the four priorities or "pillars" of the European Employment Strategy, the Programme will focus in particular on the following areas:
1. Employability. The ESF will finance the development of the National Employment Service (the young who leave school early must have greater possibilities for receiving a basic education and to improve literacy and numeracy), and will also finance initiatives aimed at widening third-level access for disadvantaged students and at improving their subsequent chances for finding work. Support will also be given to low skilled workers with short term and flexible training needs.
2. Entrepreneurship. The ESF will cofinance assistance to development of quality in-company training (mainly in SMEs) as well as initiatives for raising the skills and knowledge of the existing workforce. It will also support social economy measures which aim to regenerate economies within disadvantaged communities and will contribute to the development of local intermediary bodies.
3) Adaptability. The ESF will above all offer new and more flexible training possibilities to those who are seeking to raise their level of qualification and skill throughout their lives, mainly in the fields of information and communication technologies.
4) Equal opportunities. The ESF will support a unit for the promotion and follow-up of equal opportunities under the aegis of the Minister of Justice. It will identify inequalities in accessing the labour market, with particular emphasis on those exposed to social exclusion and discrimination.