Vol. 543 No. 3
62 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the steps which have been taken to address the issues which have resulted in industrial action at his Department's offices in Letterkenny, leading to disruption to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26827/01]
The dispute in the Department's office in Letterkenny arose initially out of the filling of three additional temporary posts in the office by the recruitment of staff on short-term contracts. The staff are required for a limited period for work associated with the introduction of a new system for the delivery of child benefit from that office. In addition to child benefit the office also administers treatment benefit, which comprises dental and optical benefits and medical appliances. The industrial action, which involves 157 clerical staff, commenced on 2 October 2001 with a ban on dealing with telephone and fax enquiries and a withdrawal of availability for overtime working. The action was extended on 30 October 2001 to include a ban on a range of other tasks and withdrawal of co-operation with the new service delivery project. While the industrial action is preventing people from making telephone and fax enquiries in relation to entitlements I would emphasise that claims continue to be processed and payments continue to be made to all recipients.
I regret the inconvenience to the public arising as a result of the industrial action. Every effort is being made to resolve the dispute within the context of existing industrial relations agreements. These agreements already provide for the recruitment of temporary staff in certain circumstances and also provide an agreed mechanism for resolving disputes that may arise in relation to temporary recruitment. This mechanism involves the discussion of the matter at a special monitoring group which can involve a facilitator at the request of either side. My Department is happy to have the issue resolved in this way and has so informed the union. However, contact between the Department and the union is ongoing with a view to resolving the dispute.
Question No. 63 answered with Question No. 20.
