Seán Barrett
Question:354 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands when the last review of pay and conditions was carried out in respect of park constables employed in her Department. [16097/98]
Written Answers. - Park Constables.
Seán Barrett
Question:355 Mr. Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the salary scale and conditions of employment, including the number of days and hours per week worked, in respect of park constables employed by her Department at St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2; the number of constables employed; if the same pay and conditions of work apply to similar employees at the Phoenix Park and those employed by the local authorities in the greater Dublin area; the plans, if any, she has to improve the pay and conditions for this category of employee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16098/98]
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 354 agus Uimh. 355 le chéile.
Park constables in my Department, of whom there are seven employed in St. Stephen's Green and none in the Phoenix Park, are general operatives and as such are paid according to the basic general operative scale for Dublin — £193.50 to £205.90 over 11.5 years.
In addition they are entitled to receive a travel allowance equivalent to one hour's pay, and an eating on site allowance of £1.13 for each day at work. They work a 39 hour week averaged over 12 months. They are paid an additional £5.86 for each Saturday worked and are paid at double time for hours worked on Sundays. Their employment is pensionable and they qualify for paid sick leave — up to 13 weeks in any period of 12 months — and for three weeks and three days holidays per annum — their holiday entitlement is at present under review.
There is no direct pay relationship between general operatives employed by my Department and those employed by local authorities. Park constables, in line with other public service workers, have their pay adjusted in accordance with national pay agreements. Negotiations are taking place at present on a special pay increase under clause 3 of theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work. The previous special pay increase was paid with effect from 1 January 1993.
Officials of my Department are currently engaged in discussions with SIPTU on a revised roster for park constables at St. Stephen's Green.