Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the non-implementation of the February 2009 Labour Court recommendation in relation to the directors of vocational education committee outdoor education centres, the stated reason for which was the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, if he will consider a referral back to the Labour Court for a binding decision in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10764/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Following protracted negotiations, my Department consented to an ad-hoc referral to the Labour Court of a claim from TUI for a pay increase for Directors of Education Centres. The Labour Court subsequently issued a non-binding recommendation in 2009 in respect of this claim. Due to the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act, this Labour Court recommendation cannot be implemented. Following the first review of the Croke Park Agreement, it was agreed that a review of adjudication findings that were outstanding at the time of the Agreement would be conducted. This review is ongoing. In this context, my Department is not currently in a position to implement the Labour Court recommendation of 9 February 2009 in respect of the Directors of the VEC Outdoor Education Centres and it would not be appropriate that the matter be referred back to the Labour Court.