I move:
That, pursuant to section 5 (2) of the Irish Universities Act, 1908, Chapters II and III of Statute CIV of University College, Cork, which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 21st August, 1975, be and are hereby disallowed.
This motion is being introduced because certain sections of Statute 104 made by University College, Cork, are not, in the opinion of the Ministers of the Public Service and Education, in accordance with the terms of the national wages agreement, 1974. In addition to proposals to increase the salaries of certain staff, with effect from 1st March, 1975, under the terms of the national wages agreement, 1974, it is proposed in Chapter II of Statute 104 to increase the children's allowances of certain staff with effect from 1st March, 1975.
In Chapter III of the statute it is proposed to increase pensions first with effect from 1st December, 1974, and further with effect from 1st March, 1975. With regard to the proposals to increase children's allowances, it is necessary to point out that children's allowances are not allowances in the nature of pay and cannot be regarded as entitled to be increased under clause 3 of the national wages agreement, 1974. Clause 3 of that agreement applies only to increases in basic rates of pay.
In the matter of pensions, the practice in other parts of the public service is that pensions are received annually on 1st July by reference to pay rates on that date. As the major portion of university funds comes from the public purse the universities are expected to conform to public service standards in all aspects of pay and remuneration. In fact, the university staffs themselves request parity of treatment with the public service in the case of anomaly or other special increases.
The authorities of University College Cork were informed through the Higher Education Authority of the views of the Ministers of the Public Service and Education in regard to the need to revoke the appropriate provisions relating to children's allowances and superannuation contained in Statute 104, or to introduce an amending statute. The college stated in reply, however, that it had been the practice for many years, because of the long period necessary to process statutes, to pay salary/wage increases and consequential pension increases from the due dates or as soon as possible thereafter and that such payments are made in advance subject to the subsequent validation of the relevant statutes.
Once previously—on 4th July, 1974 —I introduced a motion disallowing statutes of University College Cork which dealt with pensions. During the discussion of the motion in the House on that occasion I said that I am always willing to enter into discussions with the governing body of University College Cork, to enable a scheme to be drawn up which would satisfy the requirements of comparability with other parts of the public service and, in so far as this can be achieved, the desires of the governing body.
I am glad to learn that University College Cork, has recently suggested that the method of review to be applied to pensions in the future be discussed with the Higher Education Authority and that in such discussions the issue of children's allowances could also be considered. I welcome this suggestion.
In the meantime, however, I have no option but to introduce this motion that
pursuant to section 5 (2) of the Irish Universities Act, 1908, Chapters II and III of Statute CIV of University College, Cork, which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 21st August, 1975, be and are hereby disallowed.
May I add for the information of the House that a letter was received from the Higher Education Authority this afternoon in which it was stated that the authorities of University College Cork have suggested that discussions might take place at an early date in relation to the procedures to be followed in connection with these matters in future. The suggestions made will receive careful consideration in my Department. In the meantime, however, I have no option but to take the present action in the case of Chapters II and III of Statute CIV of the College.