Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Civil Service unions have announced their intention to undertake work to rule action. Has this commenced and if so, how is it affecting the workings of the Taoiseach's Department? Has his or other Departments received notice of intent to take industrial action to restore pay rates and if not, does he anticipate such notice?

In the period since the announcement of the budget each of us in our respective constituencies have been exposed to the daily reality of many people on the lower income levels in the public service. We are being asked what we can do and what answers have we got. What answers would the Taoiseach give in the case of a typical public servant? A clerical worker who earned approximately €21,000 per annum in 2009 lost almost €300 to the pension levy and €370 to the income levy. Following the budget she will take a pay cut of 5% or €1050, and will also lose €32 in child benefit a month. She cannot afford to make ends meet. That is the daily reality for many people of which the Taoiseach and other Deputies must be aware. That woman has two young children, a large mortgage and her husband has only part-time work and earns an income of only €245 per week. How do I respond to that woman when she puts it to me that she cannot understand why the lower paid public servants should be hit with a second pay cut within a ten month period and why the higher paid are again being protected?

We need some answers. What response is the Taoiseach giving in such instances? How has he addressed similar cases that must be reflected within his Department and others and some of the agencies working directly under his Department? There is little or no comprehension by the Taoiseach and other Ministers of the daily reality that low to middle income public servants have to face as a consequence of the measures introduced by his Government during 2009, which seriously impact on their lives as we face into 2010.

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