Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would definitely take up that offer. I thank the Minister of State.

The Labour Court not only made a recommendation in 2008, it also made one on 16 March 2016 in respect of an employee who worked for Tipperary Hostel Limited. The Labour Court gave a ruling in that case as well. Having considered the oral and written submissions from both parties, the court recommended an ex gratiapayment of three week's pay per year of service over and above the statutory redundancy payment already paid should now be paid to the claimant. The Labour court also noted that due to the financial circumstances of the organisation, it did not have the funds to pay this amount out of its own resources and recommended that the parties should co-operate in seeking the necessary funds from the funding agency to discharge the amount recommended.

There is a responsibility on the Government. The Minister of State cannot say that the Government cannot pay these workers proper pensions because it will cost too much. It is either right or it is wrong. They are either entitled to their pensions or they are not. That is what we have to deal with here. If it will cost money, then so be it.

I do not accept the Department hiding behind the fact that these are private companies, etc. The workers are paid by the State. The CE schemes are run on behalf of the State in some of the most vulnerable areas. As the Minister of State indicated, those involved do good work. They do not need tea and sympathy. They need hard bucks because, as good workers, they are entitled to them. Ms Patricia King came out strongly on this matter last week.

She said it was bad employer practice not to respect workers and give them the pension they deserve. I would like to meet representatives in the Department about this. System supervisors have a clear pay link with managers, instructors and administrative staff in community training workshops and they get a pension, so why are these workers not getting a pension? It is something we could look at in more detail.

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