Vol. 462 No. 3
80 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the situation regarding the catering staff in St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, whose work is being privatised; the reason their redundancy terms are inferior to those offered in 1988; the options, if any, the staff have if they wish to continue working for the same employers doing the same or different work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4671/96]
The staff in question were offered the option of either accepting the terms of a voluntary redundancy/early retirement package or transferring to the employment of the new catering contractor servicing the college. The terms on offer in the voluntary redundancy/early retirement package are in line with established norms for the categories of workers concerned in comparable circumstances in the public service, including the higher education sector. In that context, it is not correct to state that the terms are inferior to those offered in 1988. It is not feasible to arrange for the group of workers in question to be redeployed elsewhere in the college.
The union representing the staff has, however, brought the issue to the Labour Court where the case was heard on 22 February 1996. The recommendation of the court is awaited.
