Outdoor Education Centres

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2013

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

Questions (197)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

197. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the directors of vocational education committee outdoor education centres, and a February 2009 Labour Court recommendation in relation to directors of VEC outdoor education centres, which his Department agreed it would accept as binding, the reason his Department has refused to implement the recommendation, originally citing the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest, No. 2, Act as a bar to implementation, even though it did so for the CEOs of the VECs in 2012; the plans his Department currently has with regard to implementation of this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11134/13]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Labour Court issued a non binding recommendation in respect of the claim by the Directors of Outdoor Education Centres. Due to the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No. 2) Act 2009, this recommendation cannot be implemented. The matter in respect of the CEOs of VECs was referred to the Labour Court under paragraphs 1.23 and 1.24 of the Public Service (Croke Park) Agreement 2010 - 2014. In this respect the Labour Court issued a binding recommendation on this matter to the parties in line with the Croke Park Agreement.