Vol. 478 No. 4
168 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the progress, if any, there has been on the claims from Youthreach staff for proper fixed salaries and conditions in line with other teachers; if she will give details of the current negotiations in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11442/97]
My Department commissioned an evaluation of the staffing structure, qualifications profile and employment of the staff in the Youthreach programme.The report was completed at the beginning of April 1996 and copies were supplied to the relevant interests.
Negotiations on pay and conditions for Youthreach are ongoing between my Department and the union representing instruction staff in the programme. Facilitation and arbitration under the terms of the Government-ICTU PCW statement of 15 May 1996 was offered. My Department has confirmed to the TUI its willingness to enter further negotiations with the aid of a facilitator if necessary, in an attempt to reach agreement on as many issues as possible, and to refer any outstanding issues for adjudication to the Public Service Arbitration Board operating on an ad hoc basis. It is likely that the arbitration hearing will be in the coming weeks.
My Department is fully committed to reaching an amicable solution to the dispute on pay and conditions, within the overall parameters of public pay policy.
