Michael Ring
Question:189 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science when wages negotiations for the youthreach co-ordinators will be finalised; and the progress, if any, made on this issue to date. [24984/98]
Written Answers - Youthreach Programme.
The youthreach programme is a joint initiative implemented in VEC youthreach centres and FÁS funded community training workshops. The pay claim for staff in the education sector is seeking teacher's pay and conditions with appropriate adjustments and extra allowances for the length of the programme. An offer was made which included salary improvements, the introduction of pension, fixed purpose contracts, an incremental scale and movement on the ratio of full-time to part-time posts. This was rejected on the basis that the pay levels envisaged fell far short of what was being sought.
A hearing of the Public Service Arbitration Board was held on 23 June 1997. The board directed that both sides should return to negotiations in the light of a recent pay offer to community training workshops workers and to examine the possibility of a settlement in the context of this offer. Discussions ensued but the union was not in a position to agree that the CTW offer provided the basis for a settlement.
The matter was referred back to the arbitration board who held a further hearing on 3 September 1998. Further documentation was supplied by both sides on 23 September 1998 which is now being considered by the board, and a decision is expected very shortly.
My Department is fully committed to reaching an amicable solution to the dispute within the overall parameters of public pay policy.