Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I would have expected, given the importance of this issue, to see the relevant Minister, who has an intricate knowledge of this matter, as opposed to someone who comes in to read a script. We have raised this matter in the past and will continue to do so, despite the rather flippant and arrogant comments I have received to date from those on the other side.

We heard about the Government's U-turn on widows' social welfare benefits yesterday. I now ask it to do a U-turn on the treatment of school wardens. The problem that affects school wardens, who do a terrific job at our schools ensuring that children cross the road safely, is that they are effectively seasonal or temporary workers. Matters have been made more difficult as a result of a circular issued by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs at the start of the year. School wardens did not receive any social welfare payment, as they had previously, at the last mid-term break. When they queried this with the Department of Social and Family Affairs, they were told that eight and a half accrued holiday days must be used up before they were entitled to this benefit. This had never happened before. It is the result of a bureaucratic mindset in the Department and directly affects those, mostly women, who are doing very important work in this low-paid job.

Previously, the recipients were entitled to have all their holiday days approved and to receive them in July when the school term was over. Most school wardens received some form of unemployment benefit in the fourth week of the summer break. The arrangements that were put in place by local authorities for school wardens varied from one area to another. I wish to bring to the attention of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs paragraph 20 of section 3 of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which states categorically that favourable arrangements with school wardens and local authorities could be put in place in respect of annual leave. Paragraph 19 of the same section gives an undertaking to employees that they have a right to an unbroken period of two weeks' annual leave.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has stated that the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, and her Department have misinterpreted the Act, in that this group of workers has no comparable status with other groups of workers within the economy. School wardens are unique; they are not employed by the school system but directly by local authorities. Consequently, when they cannot work because of breaks in the school year, they cannot receive the social welfare benefits to which they were previously entitled. These workers are frustrated. They feel they have been very badly treated and, thus, they are asking the Government to re-examine the matter.

The new circular, which was introduced in January this year, has had a detrimental effect on school wardens. The Minister for Social and Family Affairs, and her Department, should respond to the representations they have received to date. This matter has already been raised in the Lower House by way of parliamentary questions. The Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 allows for flexibility between local authorities and school wardens. I would appreciate a positive reply in respect of this matter.