Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

89. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Dáil Éireann passing a motion on Wednesday, 12 October 2022 in support of pay increases for community and voluntary sector workers, the action he or his Department has taken to deliver on the commitments listed in the motion; if he intends to provide for a standing forum and mechanism for collective bargaining on pay and conditions with recognised trade unions in the sector; if he or his Department has engaged with trade unions on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56433/22]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important work carried out by staff in these organisations and the vital contribution of the Community and Voluntary (C&V) sector. By way of general information, the Deputy may be aware that employees in these organisations are not Public Servants and do not fall under the remit of my Department.

The relevant legislation is clear on the range of responsibilities of the relevant departments and agencies. I would refer the Deputy to the following departments:

- Section 39 of the Health Act 2004 provides the responsibilities of the HSE and Department of Health,

- Section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides the responsibilities of the Department of Housing, and

- Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 provides the responsibilities of TUSLA and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The organisations in question are private sector organisations. Accordingly the Terms and Conditions of their employees are matters in the first instance between the individual private sector employer, the employee and their employee representatives.

As noted by my colleague the Minister for Health in the debate on 12 October 2022, a process involving the Department of Health, the HSE and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, ICTU, was initiated at the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, in 2019.

In the debate the Deputy has referred to, the Minister for Health noted that it was considered that this process could provide a template of engagement which could be applied to other organisations in the Community and Voluntary (C&V) Sector. As further noted by Minister Donnelly, he considered that a process along these lines could play a useful role in providing solutions to the current pay-related issues that have been raised.

Any follow up questions would need to be directed to the Minister for Health, or in respect of other Community and Voluntary organisations to the relevant Minister.