Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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267. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of negotiations around pay and conditions for staff employed on the Houses of the Oireachtas scheme for secretarial assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17631/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Act 2003, the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (the “Commission”) has the power to regulate the provision of “secretarial facilities” to Members. “Secretarial facilities” is a term encompassing the staff employed under the Scheme for Secretarial Assistance. The Act requires the Commission to obtain the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform before reaching an agreement with any person in relation to rates of pay, conditions of employment or superannuation rights. In practice, this means that the Commission advises on matters relating to resourcing, grading and terms and conditions of employment and submits proposals for the Minister’s consideration and agreement.

In that regard, and as the Deputy is aware from a previous reply, there is a process underway at the Workplace Relations Commission dealing with the issues. This process is continuing and I understand that there is ongoing contact between the parties.

I look forward to a successful resolution of the matter and the early presentation of proposals for my consideration.