The Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) marked its 30th Anniversary with a major conference on the theme of ‘Best Practice in the Delivery of Employment Services’ in the Wynn Hotel, Dublin.
Panelists for the event, included Seamus McGuinness, Economic and Social Research Institute (Chairperson); Brita Borg, Swedish Public Employment Service; John Conlon, Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; Bríd O’Brien, INOU; Tony Donohoe, IBEC; Helen Johnston, National Economic and Social Council.
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, TD, delivered the opening address, while an international perspective was given by Brita Borg, Swedish Public Employment Service, who spoke to the conference about 'What works – A case study from Sweden and principles to help inform excellence in the delivery of Employment Services'.
In welcoming the Minister to the Conference Ann Fergus, INOU Chairperson, referred to the impact of unemployment on individuals and their families. Ann shared:
"As a society, we must never lose sight of the fact that work, in addition to the obvious financial benefits, gives people dignity and purpose."
John Stewart, INOU Co-ordinator described the work that the INOU has being doing over the last three years in researching unemployed people’s experience of the State’s Employment Services.
''The aim of today’s conference is to explore what works best in terms of supporting unemployed people to access employment opportunities and the critical role that the employment services play in this regard'', commented John Stewart, INOU Co-ordinator.
