Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Agricultural Colleges Technical Staff Dispute.

Mr. Kirk

I wish to share my time with Deputy Leonard and to thank the Chair for the opportunity of raising this important and urgent matter.

This dispute between SIPTU, which represents the 40 technicians involved, and Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, has been ongoing for some time and it directly affects a number of agricultural and horticultural colleges around the country, specifically, An Grianán in Termonfeckin in County Louth, Warrenstown Agricultural College in County Meath, Gurteen and Pallaskenry. Although St. Patrick's College in Monaghan is also affected, the other colleges I mentioned are more severely affected and have had to send students home.

As agreed by both parties to the dispute, the matter was referred to an assessor who was appointed in January 1992 and the McLaughlin report was published in May 1993. SIPTU was prepared to accept its findings but Teagasc and the Department were reluctant to do so. The technicians seek pay parity with similar grades in Teagasc — the McLaughlin report pointed to serious pay anomalies between grades in the colleges concerned and Teagasc. The students involved face serious difficulties because of the dispute. Each day lost at college will prove detrimental at examination time.

I admire the versatility of the Minister of State in replying to three matters on the Adjournment, displaying typical Kerry footwork in the process. I hope he will have tidings of good news on this matter.

Mr. Leonard

I thank Deputy Kirk for sharing time with me. While the McLaughlin report was published in 1993, in 1995 a number of agricultural and horticultural students have been sent home from colleges because of a dispute over pay parity. The 59 students at St. Patrick's College in Monaghan are in a particularly vulnerable position. That diocesan college was set up from voluntary subscriptions and has provided many students with the necessary expertise in farming methods. Will the Minister of State do everything possible to resolve the dispute and alleviate the concerns of parents and students?

I met a group of people last week who raised the question of the withdrawal of the services of the local poultry adviser in the Monaghan area. Two weeks prior to that I met a group of people concerned about the delay in paying grants for farm building works. This is not what we were led to expect from the Government.

While I accept the dispute is not a simple matter, the future of many young students is at stake. Therefore, everything possible should be done to resolve it.

Mr. Deenihan

I compliment the Deputies from neighbouring constituencies on their fine team work. The dispute in question concerns a pay claim by technicians at private colleges.

In 1991 the Labour Court recommended that an assessor examine this claim. The Institute of Public Administration carried out the examination and recommended new pay scales. Despite the fact that the increase recommended greatly exceeds the limits laid down in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work to which the union involved, SIPTU, are signatories, I decided, in consultation with the Minister for Finance, in the circumstances surrounding the claim to accept the pay scales recommended. The only issue in dispute regarding the pay scales is the date of implementation of the award. Backdating to 1 October 1994 has been offered but the union is demanding implementation with effect from May 1993. The unions have also submitted claims for automatic promotions from Grade I to Grade II and the creation of a supervisory agricultural officer post at Pallaskenry.

Both the Minister for Finance and I consider that the offer made is a very generous one in present circumstances and that there is no prospect of an improvement on it during the currency of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.10 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 25 October 1995.