Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can agree to report to the Oireachtas on the matter. However, I have to set out some facts relating to the ex gratiapayment. It is a complex issue as community employment, CE, workers are not State employees. This agreement was reached with both unions representing supervisors, SIPTU and Fórsa, arising from a 2008 Labour Court recommendation on pensions for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. The agreed ex gratia payment is in respect of workers covered by that recommendation and not any other group. It does not apply to rural social scheme or Tús workers.

The agreement I reached with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath, to enter discussions with unions to resolve this long-standing and complex issue was strictly on the basis that any agreement reached with unions was ring-fenced for this group of CE workers. At all stages, both unions agreed that the discussions and any agreement only applied to the group of workers covered by the 2008 Labour Court recommendation. Following a ballot of members, both unions confirmed agreement to the settlement reached by my Department in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and that settlement resolves any issues relating to the 2008 recommendation.

I am pleased to say the processing of claims received to date is well under way. We have received around 624 claims for the payment and 480 are processed and ready for payment. It is my intention that these payments will issue following the enactment of the Bill. Hopefully, we will have them through to them before Christmas. I will report to the Oireachtas on the matter.

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