Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to highlight the forthcoming strike action by community employment, CE, supervisors involving approximately 1,250 people around the country next Monday, with a further four days proposed. I am very concerned about the impact on the various community and social services that are provided in the communities which have the benefit of community employment schemes, such as care of the elderly, meals on wheels, Tidy Towns, disability services and a range of other services that are the oil in the machine that makes our communities better places to live in. The idea that such services will not be provided because of a lack of availability of CE supervisors cannot be taken lightly and has to be addressed.

The case made by CE supervisors is based on a Labour Court recommendation that was made over ten years ago and it cannot be ignored, even though it was a recommendation and is not legally binding. Consideration has already been given to the claim the supervisors have relating to pension rights but there is also an issue with the fact that when the CE schemes were established, and people moved from FÁS-SOLAS to the Department of Social Protection, there was supposed to be an element of benchmarking of people who remained in the system with those who came under the employment of various CE companies. The CE companies are run by volunteers throughout the country which facilitate the schemes in partnership with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. As I understand it, this group has seen no increases in wages in ten years but they have a serious case and there needs to be a serious discussion about it. It is up to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and his officials to see what compromise can be reached over these legitimate complaints, recognising the reality that many of the terms and conditions of these people are set by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection even though they are not in the employment of the Department. There needs to be a balance between this and the financial constraints on the public purse but these people cannot be ignored. There needs to be engagement and I encourage the Leader to communicate this to the Minister.