Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 February 2019
59. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which she plans to avert further strike action by community employment supervisors and assistant supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7991/19]
View answer63. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding contractual, pay and pension concerns raised by community employment scheme supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7654/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 63 together.
First, I wish to acknowledge the valuable and dedicated service that Community Employment supervisors provide in running Community Employment Schemes all over the country. We simply could not sustain a lot of our local community services without their work and it is, of course, a concern to me that the Supervisors felt compelled to take the action they took yesterday.
As the Deputy is aware the action taken by Community Employment (CE) scheme arises from a claim for the provision of a pension scheme.
Given the complex issues involved, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform established a high level community sector group as a forum to explore potential approaches. As part of the work of this group it was established that the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and others in the Community and Voluntary sector presents very significant issues for the Exchequer, with a potential cost to the State of up to €347 million p.a. It is important to note that this cost excludes any provision for immediate ex-gratia lump sum payment of pension as sought, which could entail a further Exchequer cost of up to €318 million.
