David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the incentives in place to encourage workers in industry to develop safety apparatus and procedures; his views regarding an awards scheme for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31157/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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There are a number of schemes currently in place in Ireland and Europe to encourage innovation and good occupational safety, health and welfare practices.

The National Irish Safety Organisation, NISO, a voluntary body dedicated to the promotion of health and safety in Irish workplaces, runs an incentive scheme to encourage the development and implementation of good safety practices and procedures. This scheme, which is run annually, provides awards recognising safety and health performance across a range of categories and is always heavily subscribed. Another good practice award scheme at EU level is run by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Ireland has, in the past, featured strongly in these awards. The seventh European good practice awards in occupational safety, health and welfare are currently being finalised. At this stage, it is envisaged that the 2006 award scheme will recognise companies or organisations, including schools, colleges and training providers that have made outstanding and innovative contributions to ensure that young people make a safe start in their working lives, and that risk awareness and prevention is promoted in enterprises, schools and colleges. I very much welcome such award schemes and I am happy to give my full support to them.