Written answers

Wednesday, 22 January 2025

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Public Sector Pay

Photo of David CullinaneDavid Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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1188. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to advise on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); if the organisation confirmed it has received funding for pay increases for workers under the public sector pay deal; if he can intervene to ensure that this is passed on to workers as intended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46755/24]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My Department was involved in negotiations at the WRC in 2023, in relation to pay for workers of organisations funded by Tusla under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 (as amended).

In the course of these negotiations, an agreement was reached whereby such funded organisations would receive a funding increase, in three phases. The value of the increase was calculated off a base of 80% of the value of the grant those agencies were receiving under section 56 of the relevant Act.

The funding increase was intended to be used by these organisations, only to increase the pay of their staff members. Analysis by Tusla had shown that on average, these organisations have a cost base that is approximately 80% staff costs and 20% non-staff costs.

The intention of this agreed funding increase was for the employers to pass on a pay increase to their employees, where the salaries of the employees were below those of Tusla employees of equivalent or commensurate grades. As per the agreement with the union side, any eventual pay increase to a staff member was subject to a maximum of 8%. The agreement was not a blanket 8% pay increase. The funding agreed is not available to cover any previous increases that may have been implemented by the employing organisation.

Neither Tusla, nor my Department, are the employer for workers in organisations funded under Section 56. Where funding has been provided to the employer, it is a matter for the employer to ensure that their staff can avail of an appropriate increase to the pay they receive from their employer.

My Department is ensuring that Tusla is provided the agreed funding, and is continuing to work with Tusla to ensure that funding is disbursed, managed appropriately, and is made available to eligible employees in line with the terms of the agreement.

In that context I would ask the Deputy to note that I secured a supplementary estimate in 2023, following the agreement at the WRC, to ensure my Department could fund Tusla with the monies needed to honour the 2023 elements of the agreement made at the WRC. All of the funding was drawn down by Tusla before the end of 2023, and made available to organisations funded by Tusla under section 56.

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