Vol. 513 No. 4
230 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has in order to end the industrial action by his Department's PSEU grades; the effect of the action on the workings of his Department to date; the length of time it will take to deal with the backlog of work as a result of the strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2724/00]
Members of the Public Service Executive Union, PSEU, in my Department voted in favour of industrial action with effect from 17 January 2000 in pursuit of a staffing claim. Under the terms of the industrial action, the PSEU has instructed its members not to carry out the following work: answering representations from public representatives; answering parliamentary questions; dealing with speeches and information notes for the Minister, Ministers of State and the Secretary General of the Department; dealing with new schemes introduced since 1 January 1999 where the required staffing resources have not been provided.
My Department is having ongoing intensive discussions with the PSEU in relation to its claim. At a meeting held yesterday, my Department clarified the position of management in relation to the allocation of additional staffing and is responding to a number of specific queries raised by the union. The union has undertaken to consult with its members in Tullamore, Athlone and Dublin and to complete the process by Wednesday, 9 February. I wish to assure the Deputy that my Department is making every effort to ensure an early resolution of the dispute.
