Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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598. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the basis on which she seeks to ignore the Labour Relations Commission recommendation on pensions for community employment supervisors; her views on whether the introduction of auto enrolment has no bearing on the community employment workers recommendation; her further views on whether the State needs to take the direction of the Labour Court and provide the agreed pension; when an update will be provided to such workers on the outcome of the confidential talks taking place; when the talks will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47113/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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 The Community Employment Scheme (CE) is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.

The programme is delivered through independent Community Employment Sponsoring Bodies.  The contract agreement between the Department and the Community Employment Sponsoring Body establishes their role as an independent contractor, responsible for or all purposes and all persons recruited by them.

CE Supervisors have always been employees of Community Employment Sponsoring Bodies which operate in the community and voluntary sector.  The Community Employment Sponsoring Body receives public funding.

As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is engaging with representatives of CE supervisors to discuss issues arising following the 2008 Labour Court Recommendation.  The details of the discussions have remained confidential while the engagement is ongoing and I would ask Deputies to respect these wishes and allow the talks to continue free from speculation.