Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe that is the case. There is an SNA industrial relations forum. The system and Departments will follow through on the normal processes available to them. The Deputy is a lawyer and he understands due process sometimes that has to take place. It provides a structured process to manage any industrial relations issues that arise in this particular sector.

It is a dedicated channel so that Fórsa and other can raise matters and issues of concern. The Building Momentum agreement is currently in place and will be in existence until the end of 2022. At this point, pay and workplace reform measures for public servants have been governed by a framework for many years.

I mentioned earlier that at one point Fórsa availed of sectoral bargaining. That was to apply an increase of 1,100 current long-service increments in pay in order to raise the maximum pay level for an SNA. There is not a reluctance on behalf of the Department. It also knows my views on this. It is my understanding that that review will be completed this year. The preference is for the Department to review the SNA contract first, and then we will look at the minimum qualifications. As well as this, separate conversations are happening with University College Dublin, UCD. We hope to have that and the accreditation resolved as soon as possible.