Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jun 2002

Vol. 553 No. 6

Written Answers. - Public Service Benchmarking Body.

Olwyn Enright

Question:

56 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the contingency plans he has in place in the event that teachers do not accept the recommendations of the benchmarking body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14774/02]

Pádraic McCormack

Question:

69 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has made the necessary preparations for the payment of the agreed 25% proportion of the increase, to be effective back to December 2001, immediately on receipt of the benchmarking report at the end of June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14788/02]

Dan Neville

Question:

96 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Education and Science if he intends to meet the payment increase of 15% expected from the benchmarking process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14794/02]

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

111 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Education and Science the contingency plans which have been put in place to deal with the risk of strike action in the autumn should the terms offered to teachers as a result of the benchmarking process prove unsatisfactory. [14621/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 56, 69, 96 and 111 together.

The Public Service Benchmarking Body is a totally independent body and is chaired by a High Court judge. Its composition and terms of reference were agreed by the Government and public service unions. It has been asked to produce its report by 30 June. Although employers and unions must negotiate how it is implemented they will not renegotiate the recommendations. An agreement reached between the Government and the trade unions in December 2000 provides for payment of 25% of any increase with effect from 1 December 2001. This will be paid immediately on receipt of the report of the benchmarking body.

I do not propose to anticipate its recommendations. I am confident recommendations made in respect of teachers will reflect the increasingly complex role of the teacher and the contribution teachers have made and continue to make to the development of education in Ireland.