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Disability Activation Projects

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2019

Tuesday, 11 June 2019

Questions (878)

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

878. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the EmployAbility national contract for 2019 does not provide for budgetary measures for pay increments for employees delivering this important service; if this decision, which adversely impacts staff on post-2012 contracts, will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23534/19]

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Written answers

The EmployAbility Service is an important service delivered by individual contractors on behalf of my Department. Service contracts have been entered into with 24 organisations around the state, servicing some 3000 clients. Similar to the Local Employment Service (LES) and Job Clubs, the EmployAbility Service contracts describe the employment service to be delivered and the funding available to an organisation for the full delivery of that service.

Each contract is a stand-alone agreement and is subject to negotiation with the service provider taking account of local circumstances and my Department's service requirements. The budget allocation to an individual service provider may be subject to an increase or decrease based on the requirements for the coming year taking into account such things as demographic changes, improved employment opportunities etc. The contracts are for a fixed term of one year and run from 1st of January to the 31st December. The budget allocated to my Department in 2019 for the provision of EmployAbility Services nationwide has been maintained at €9.8m, the same as in 2018.

As with any 'contract for service', the terms and conditions of staff, including remuneration, are a matter for the contracting organisation that employs them.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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