Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Kevin Humphreys.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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The Cathaoirleach will be delighted to know that my contribution will be short and sweet. Former employees of the Department of Social Protection contacted me on this matter. I want to find out why former employees, who were temporary clerical officers working in the Department of Social Protection and possibly in other Departments, have been waiting more than 12 months for payment of arrears of pay. Under the Haddington Road agreement, circular DPE/071-1213, their rate of pay should have been increased from 1 November 2013. The client I am dealing with left the Department of Social Protection in May 2014 without having received that increase. To date, she has not received her arrears. This week she received a cheque for €327 but she is owed approximately €1,110. The cheque amount seems to equate to approximately eight weeks pay instead of 28 weeks. I fail to understand the delay because the CPSU has secured arrears of pay for all serving temporary clerical officers with the exception of former employees. It is a shame I have to raise this matter in the House in order to have these arrears sorted out. The situation should have been settled long ago. It is 12 months later and these people are still waiting for their arrears. I await the Minister of State's reply.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I thank the Senator for raising this matter. As she pointed out, current temporary clerical officers have received their arrears of pay. The Department only received lists from PeoplePoint - our HR shared service-provider - of all TCOs affected by the change in October 2014. The total number is 644. A total of 132 temporary clerical officers who were still employed by the Department received their full arrears in December 2014. The Department commenced the payment of arrears to the remaining 512 temporary clerical officers during April 2015. The computation of the arrears are being processed and then paid. A total of 61 payments have issued to date. The remaining 451 are being processed and will be paid as quickly as our payroll resources allow. I ask the Senator to contact me if any particular difficulties arise for individuals.

Marie Moloney (Labour)
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I thank the Minister of State and I will bring a particular case to his attention. These people do not wish to jeopardise their chances of being re-employed and they are nervous about coming forward as a result. They have been waiting for 12 months and it is not a large number of people. Four hundred and fifty-one people have been waiting a year and a half. I am astonished that it would take so long to process arrears due to them. They are now being paid in drips and drabs. Why give a partial payment rather than the whole payment? It does not make sense. Perhaps more payroll staff are required.

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I assure the Senator that it is being dealt with. Temporary clerical officers were hired by the Department and were subject to the revised reduced entry pay grade. They are receiving back money as a result of negotiations under the Haddington Road agreement. This matter is being dealt with as quickly as possible. I expect those payments will be made quite quickly as payroll resources allow.