Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
464. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department plans to engage with union representatives of Seanad Éireann secretarial assistants in respect of their pay claim; if there has been progress on improving pay and conditions for Seanad secretarial assistants over the past 12-months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39791/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the staff in question are not public servants and are instead employed in the Houses of the Oireachtas by individual Senators.
I understand that the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission is engaged in an ongoing process including at the Workplace Relations Commission in relation to the terms and conditions of Seanad Secretarial Assistants.
As the Deputy will appreciate it is not appropriate for me to comment on an ongoing industrial relations process, however as in all such matters I would encourage the parties to continue to engage to address the issues. My officials will maintain contact with the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission as appropriate.
