Vol. 518 No. 2
146 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he has taken to deal with a situation where urgent inquiries from Oireachtas Members to his office are not being dealt with because of administrative problems within his Department; and the steps he is taking to deal with this problem. [11263/00]
155 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Education and Science the sections of his Department affected by industrial action; the steps, if any, he has taken to resolve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11288/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 146 and 155 together.
Members of the Public Service Executive Union – PSEU – in my Department are currently engaged in industrial action in pursuit of a staffing claim. The PSEU has instructed its members not to carry out certain aspects of their normal work. All sections of my Department which have staff in grades represented by the PSEU have been affected.
My Department is engaged in intensive negotiations with the PSEU in relation to its claim. Strenuous efforts have been made to date to reach agreement and negotiations are at a crucial stage.
