Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome all of the supervisors and assistant supervisors who have travelled here from all over the country. I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak to and support this important motion. I want the Minister of State, Deputy Michael D'Arcy, to correct the record of the House. He clearly said supervisors and assistant supervisors were employed by private companies. It should be made clear that they are not. They work for charitable organisations and supporting groups. As chairman of my local hurling club, I see at first hand the invaluable service provided every week. I compliment the supervisor, Ms Marian Scully, and the assistant supervisor, Ms Michele Rohan, for the excellent work they do in keeping the scheme running so successfully.

When I raised the issue of pensions for community employment scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors during Leaders' Questions last year, the Taoiseach acknowledged the huge value of the scheme both in providing employment and training opportunities and important community services. I pay a special tribute to the supervisors who are linchpins of scheme. Many voluntary and sponsors groups are largely unaware of the full responsibilities being placed on them because of the efficiency of the supervisors in looking after all aspects of a scheme. The Department does not seem to acknowledge the vast amount of work being undertaken by supervisors and how constantly changing procedures and requirements make this role extremely difficult. This group of people do not have pensions or contracts of indefinite duration and have had no pay increases in the past ten years, despite Labour Court recommendations. It is clear that community employment schemes would not be in operation were it not for the supervisors. The supervisors of schemes run by certain local authorities, including Galway City Council, and Údarás na Gaeltachta have full pension rights.

I am calling on the Government to right a wrong. The supervisors should be brought within the remit of the Department. They should be entitled to a pension and given proper contracts. I call on the House to support the motion and ask for the issue to be resolved as a matter of urgency.

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