Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019
934. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on whether coastguard volunteers should be granted access to the Workplace Relations Commission or some other independent third party as a means of resolving internal disputes. [1273/19]
View answerThe jurisdiction of the Workplace Relations Commission is constrained by legislation to employment rights and information.
IRCG Volunteers are volunteers and not employees of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
The definition of Volunteer as noted in the IRCG Code is that from The Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 which defines a ‘Volunteer’ as a person who does voluntary work that is authorised by a Volunteer organisation and does so without expectation of payment (other than reasonable reimbursement for expenses) or other reward. ‘Volunteer organisation’ means any body (whether or not incorporated) that is not formed for profit and that authorises the doing of voluntary work whether or not as the principal purpose of the organisation.
There is an independent HR Consultancy firm currently contracted by the Department to assist in resolving Coast Guard volunteer grievances using appropriate processes such as mediation.
