Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1244. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress made on a number of issues which have recently been raised with her officials with regard to community employment supervisors agreements and working conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24976/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Community Employment (CE) scheme supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding. My Department is not the employer of the supervisors and such employees are not public servants.

The issue of addressing the entitlement of CE supervisors to an occupational pension is primarily a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. A Community Sector High Level Forum, chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently examining this issue. My Department is represented on this group, as are the unions, Pobal and other relevant Government Departments.

I am very conscious that any solution to this issue will require careful consideration and should have regard to all Community and Voluntary Sector employees and the implications for scarce Exchequer resources, particularly in light of the large size of the Community and Voluntary sector in Ireland.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.