Response to the Proposed Regional Transportation Strategy
For Northern Ireland

The Committee for Employment and Learning welcomes the opportunity to respond to the proposed Regional Transportation Strategy. We acknowledge that the proposals, whilst having less impact on the Department for Employment and Learning than other departments, still impact significantly on employment, education and training. The Committee has set out below a few key themes arising from their consideration of the proposals. These have been supported by evidence from the Committee's Inquiry into Education and Training for Industry.

1. Vision

The Committee for Employment and Learning was supportive of the Regional Development Strategy in its response of 15 March 2001 and are fully aware that it underpins this proposed Regional Transportation Strategy. The Committee is supportive of the overall transportation vision of the current strategy. "To have a modern, sustainable, safe transportation system which benefits society, the economy and the environment and which actively contributes to social inclusion and everyone's quality of life".

2. Access

The Committee supports measures to increase access to employment, education and training and highlights the following areas, stemming from the key role of Higher and Further Education to economic development, in achieving a knowledge-based society, high value-added and high-wage economy -

1. Increasing employment opportunities through improved access; and
2. access to education and training, including outreach opportunities, improved access for those with disabilities etc.

By way of example, members have raised the issue of accessibility to the Magee College campus of the University of Ulster with the current state of public transport. Additionally, the current bus service provided by Translink makes the Coleraine campus of the University extremely difficult to access from the Omagh and Enniskillen areas. It is vital that issues like this are addressed. Two recommendations from the Committee's recent Report on the Inquiry into Education and Training for Industry are linked to increasing access.

Recommendation 6 - Greater government support for workplace development, community education and outreach programmes aiming to improve ICT skills, to enable everyone to operate within the ICT driven economy.

Recommendation 10 - Decisions regarding the development of centres of excellence at individual (further education) colleges should stem from the overall strategy for the sector. This should be underpinned by a commitment to innovative schemes, which increases access and supports a geographical spread of provision across Northern Ireland.

3. Access in Rural Areas

Again, referring back to our previous response, the Committee considers that transport in general, but particularly public transport in rural areas, must be of a quality and availability to ensure everybody has access to education, training and employment opportunities. The Committee acknowledges that providing access in rural areas on a par with those in urban areas will be an expensive provision, but essential to ensure the continued development of rural areas and the people living there.

4. Linking Strategies to Assist Employment

Currently the Department for Employment and Learning are finalising an action plan stemming from the Taskforce on Employability and Long-Term Unemployment, it is vital that this important development and associated work is linked to this proposed Regional Transportation Strategy. Maximum benefit will be achieved from a joined-up approach. The Committee, from recent evidence sessions is aware that access to employment opportunities is being restricted due to insufficient public transport systems. This is resulting in jobs not being filled, unemployed and particularly the long-term unemployed, and the economically inactive not taking up current vacancies. The Committee recognises that improved public transport has a key role to play in the support of the socially excluded to enable them to return to employment.

5. Flexible Working Practices

The members of the Committee for Employment and Learning are aware of several initiatives and forthcoming European directives and legislation to enhance flexibility of employment and promote family friendly practices. This can only be achieved for those people in our society, without personal transport, if they have access to enhanced and reasonably priced public transport.

6. Equality Impact

The Committee is pleased to note the positive outcomes of the Equality Impact Assessment and this reinforces the Committee's support for improved access for disabled people in its response of 29 November 2001 to the consultation document 'Improving Civil Rights for Disabled People' - Northern Ireland Executive Response to the Disability Task Force. Furthermore, the Committee, in its recent Inquiry into Education and Training for Industry, under 'removing barriers to education' made the following recommendation.

Recommendation 35 - The Committee supports the further development of initiatives to assist with childcare and those with educational special needs and disabilities in order to facilitate increased access to all education and training.

In conclusion, the Committee for Employment and Learning is supportive of the thrust of this proposed Regional Transportation Strategy whilst recognising the considerable cost implications.