Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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647. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the avenues that are available to community employment supervisors that are not eligible or satisfied with the terms of the recently approved ex-gratia payment; if there is leave to appeal or some other avenue open to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14994/22]

Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme.

This claim creates some difficulties because the State is not the employer of the CE supervisors or CE assistant supervisors. Within this context, officials from my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform held discussions on proposals to progress and resolve this complex issue, while having regard to the wider budgetary framework. Department officials also held discussions with unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors.

Following extensive discussions, between the relevant Departments and union officials, a proposal was brought to both unions, which was then voted on by union members. On the 23rd December, both unions involved confirmed acceptance of this settlement with specific terms which will benefit over 2,200 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008. It is estimated to have a total cost of over €24 million.

The terms of this agreement are binding and there is no appeal process; as this proposal has been voted on, accepted and agreed. The agreement resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors.

CE Supervisors and assistant supervisors will apply directly to the ex-gratia scheme once the process for doing so has been established. Each application will be reviewed and payments will based on the specific terms of the scheme as agreed with unions.

Generally, under the terms of this settlement, on reaching retirement age, eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors will receive a once off ex-gratia payment in respect of time employed by CE schemes since 2008. People who retired since 2008 and who have reached retirement age will be able to apply for payments immediately when the scheme is in place.

The qualifying period for the scheme is from 1st July 2008 to 31st December 2023 and will apply to all periods of employment as a CE supervisor or CE assistant supervisor during that period subject to certain conditions.

The ex-gratia payment provides for 2 weeks pay per year of service or part thereof in the qualifying period. The calculation will be based on the salary point of the CE supervisor or CE assistant supervisor on the date of retirement, subject to a cap of €600 per week.

The Department of Social Protection is currently working on the administrative arrangements including any review mechanisms that may be available to implement the agreed settlement so that payments will issue to qualified CE workers in 2022.

i trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.