Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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My Department operates a number of employment support schemes; including Tús, Rural Social Scheme (RSS) and Community Employment (CE), for long term unemployed persons and low income farmers/fishers. I would like to acknowledge the important role that Tús and RSS supervisors play in providing valuable opportunities to participants in supporting the delivery of key services to local communities across the country.

It should be noted that Tús and RSS supervisors are employees of the individual Implementing Bodies (Local Development Companies), which are funded by the Department.

In early 2023, union representatives and employers agreed, with the assistance of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the support of Department officials, a wage increase of 5% for supervisors employed on Tús, RSS and CE schemes.

Officials in my Department continue to hold regular meetings with the supervisor's representative associations to discuss issues in relation to the delivery of all employment programmes. In recent meetings the representatives raised the issue of pay parity for Tús and RSS with CE supervisors.

It is important to note that there are differences in the work undertaken by CE supervisors compared to that undertaken by Tús and RSS, relating, for example, to the preparation of individual learning plans. As a consequence, we would expect the service fees paid to the service providers to reflect this difference in scope.

My Department, as funder of these schemes, is considering the complexities involved in addressing this issue. It is also important to note that any changes to the fees paid or the funding model will require the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My Department officials are continuing to engage with officials in Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to this issue.

Officials in my Department continue to work with the Implementation Bodies and staff representatives.

I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department values the work undertaken by all supervisors and the great contribution they provide to all participants and communities throughout the State.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.