Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
123 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the measures his Department intends to advance in order to create greater security for those working in the community and voluntary sector in view of a recent publication which highlighted low pay and limited career prospects as a difficulty for that sector to attract and retain staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11923/04]
View answer146 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if his attention has been drawn to a recent EU study by the equal at work project which found that low pay and limited career prospects are making it difficult for community and voluntary groups to attract and retain staff; if he intends bringing forward proposals to address pay and working conditions in the community and voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11837/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 146 together.
The issue of staff retention and motivation in today's dynamic employment market is one which many organisations across all sectors must face.
Community and voluntary sector organisations are autonomous and, in the context of the resources available to them, assess their own needs and priorities, with the role of the State as that of enabler. While I have no formal role in establishing the terms and conditions of employment operating in the community and voluntary sector, I am keen to see that best practices in recruitment and employment are followed by the sector, especially when supported by core funding from the State. Where such support is provided, my Department would normally require that such best practice is followed. For example, under the community development programme there are a number of professional support agencies whose role is to advise individual projects with regard to their responsibilities in the area of, among other things, employment law, legal issues and general good practice. This expertise has led to a high awareness within the programme with regard to fair and equitable treatment of staff. Jobholders normally hold specific qualifications relative to the particular post and tend to receive salaries commensurate with qualifications and experience levels. Although salary scales are not set within the programme, each funded project is an independent entity, most projects offer incremental salary scales and pension provision as part of the employment contract.
It is important that our community and voluntary sector remains an attractive and vibrant workplace and continues to attract talented people. The recommendations in the report will be considered in the context of my Department's ongoing relationship with the sector.
