Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason the appropriate official from her Department did not attend invitations to discuss a serious issue (details supplied) at the behest of the Labour Relations Commission; her views on the matter; and if she will instruct the appropriate official to indicate they will attend. [16827/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was originally a participant on the Job Initiative scheme sponsored by KWCD Partnership and, in 2004, she became directly employed by the Partnership where she provided administrative support to the scheme. This Job Initiative scheme is now sponsored by Dublin 12 Congress Centre and it is funded by this Department. The Department agreed to grant to the person concerned from the scheme’s Administration and Training Grant until the completion of the then current contract which ended on June 1st 2012. The sponsors of the scheme were advised that the grant aid would cease on this date. All contracts for schemes are appraised on an annual basis and any contract and the terms contained within only have a maximum duration of one annual year.

Upon renewal, the current scheme contract was given approval for 49 workers who would be supported by funding for two full-time team leaders. The current ratios are in keeping with the recommended ratio of team leaders to workers which also includes the provision of administration. It is not possible to provide funding for additional administrative support.

While the Department provides funding to the Job Initiative scheme, sponsors for each scheme are required to have a Management Committee which is the registered employer for any staff pertaining to that scheme. Any matters relating to contracts of employment for those employed through the funding of the Department are within the remit of the registered employer. The Department can only offer guidance in relation to the operating guidelines of the scheme and it would not be appropriate for the Department to engage with the Labour Relations Commission in this matter.