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Industrial Relations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2022

Thursday, 3 February 2022

Questions (58)

Joan Collins

Question:

58. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the grounds on which her Department and Turas Nua is refusing to attend a Workplace Relations Commission explanatory talks process to resolve a trade dispute which was taking place in counties Laois and Offaly which is one of the areas covered by the request for tender one. [5098/22]

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Written answers

In May last year, my Department under Phase 1 of a procurement process to expand employment services, sought tenders for the provision of the Local Area Employment Service in Laois/Offaly. The existing Job Club providers in Laois/Offaly did not submit a tender for these counties, removing any possibility of them continuing to provide employment services in the area after the end of 2021. Nonetheless, the outcome of this open and transparent procurement process was not contested by any parties.

On 15 December 2021, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) wrote to my Department regarding specific industrial action in Job Clubs in Offaly and Laois. The WRC is a forum for resolving employment issues that arise between an employer and its staff.

All my Department's employment service contracts are unequivocal in stating that the Department of Social Protection is not an employer of its service partners' staff. This is clearly stated in the relevant Job Club contracts for Laois/Offaly. The Department of Social Protection is not the employer of the staff concerned nor is it a party to an employment dispute with any of its service partners or their staff. It would therefore be inappropriate for it to engage in talks at the WRC. Nonetheless, the Department has offered to provide any information or clarifications that could assist the WRC in their efforts.

In relation to the former Job Club staff in Laois/Offaly, I understand that they have all been offered employment by Turas Nua on their existing terms and conditions. I also understand that earlier this month, the staff commenced training with Turas Nua to provide services under the new Local Area Employment Service contracts. SIPTU and Turas Nua are continuing to engage regularly, with SIPTU representatives accompanying staff in their recent meetings with Turas Nua.

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