Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the transfer of community welfare officers from her Department to the Department of Social and Family Affairs will take place; if she will give an assurance that the staff concerned will transfer without loss of rights and status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10425/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The management of the Health Service Executive, the Department of Social and Family Affairs and my Department remain committed to implementing the Government decision, which was originally taken in 2006, to transfer the Community Welfare Service (CWS) from the Health Service Executive to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There have been prolonged periods of engagement with the health sector unions since that time but, to date, no agreement has been reached. The employment status of employees and their terms and conditions are just some of the issues which have already been identified and on which agreement will need to be reached with the relevant health sector unions, prior to the transfer of the CWS taking place.

Most recently, facilitated talks had begun under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission, with a small sub-group, representative of management and unions, engaged in intensive discussions. However, both SIPTU and IMPACT informed the Labour Relations Commission, in January of this year, that they were not in a position to attend the conciliation conferences which had been scheduled to take place. This was due to the fact that they were to be engaged in intensive dialogue/consultation with their membership throughout the month of January, regarding the Government decision to reduce the remuneration of public servants.

Following this consultation, I understand that both unions have informed the LRC that they are unable to engage in these discussions, due to the ongoing industrial action across the public service. As a result of this development, these intensive talks in relation to the transfer of the CWS cannot now go ahead as planned. This decision by the unions is unwarranted, given the already unacceptable delays in implementing a Government decision that was taken nearly 4 years ago now. Ultimately, this transfer is one which will see the CWS being properly located in the Department of Social and Family Affairs, and will result in a better service for the public who avail of it.