Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 March 2013
19. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide information on the implications arising from the loss of supervision and substitution payments for teachers arising from the pending Croke Park two agreement, particularly in relation to employment rights for staff who may lose their right to a lunch break. [11755/13]
View answer32. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline details of the reduction in annual substitution hours his Department expects to pay for if the proposals under the new public service pay agreement are implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11987/13]
View answer34. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of extra hours that will have to be worked by primary teachers and by primary school principals under the terms of Croke Park two. [11756/13]
View answer39. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that the issue of the increasing casualisation of the teaching work force is addressed or taken into account during the negotiations on an additional €1 billion in public sector savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11958/13]
View answer44. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers who for the past number of years have been making superannuation payments from their supervision and substitution allowance will not receive any pension benefit from such payments unless they retire within the next three years; and the way it is proposed that this element be dealt with. [11757/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 19, 32, 34, 39 and 44 together.
The proposals put forward by the Labour Relations Commission on an extension to the Croke Park Agreement arise from an intensive and difficult set of negotiations between the Public Services Committee of ICTU and the Government, that took place against a backdrop of continuing significant difficulties in the finances of the State. The public service trade unions are currently considering the outcome of these negotiations. Their members now have an important decision to make and in my view, it is better for us all to allow them the time and space to reflect and come to that decision without any perceived pressure from any side. In light of that, I do not think that it would be helpful to this ongoing process for me to comment or elaborate upon proposals which were carefully constructed by the LRC.
