Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Fine.

The Croke Park agreement came about following a request from the Government for reforms following cuts in levels of pay. Since the Croke Park agreement was ratified in June no efficiencies or savings have been made. For example, in education on which there was a great deal of discussion, the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 agreed that by the start of the 2010-11 school year there would be the introduction of an additional hour per week to facilitate teachers to engage in duties determined by school management; an extra hour per week in institutes of technology and universities; ensuring that post-primary teachers are available for three timetabled class periods per week under the supervision and substitution scheme; a review and revision of teaching contracts; a review and revision of the employment terms and conditions of special needs assistants for those employed in the VEC sector; and a review of the academic employment contracts for institutes of technology by 31 August 2010.

This is one area where there was a great deal of discussion and argument and eventually agreement, but the Government has sat on its hands completely. Nothing has happened in respect of implementing the efficiencies contained in the Croke Park agreement. What has been the big blockage to implementing agreements that were hard fought, hard worked out and negotiated before the agreement was concluded? Why has there been no impetus in the context of a more effective service and implementing the conditions agreed in Croke Park? Why has there been no Government impetus, urgency or initiative about this to show everybody that an agreement like this can take place in the interests of those who work in the public service and those who receive the services those public servants are able to deliver?

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