Community Employment Schemes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022

Tuesday, 29 November 2022

Questions (438)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

438. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection her engagement with stakeholders regarding the provision of an occupational pension for community employment supervisors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56442/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection

As the Deputy will be aware, following an agreement between the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Social Protection, a final settlement was reached with unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors at the end of 2021 in settlement of this specific 2008 Labour Court recommendation. This settlement resolves the long-standing issue through a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. At the end of last year, both unions involved confirmed acceptance of this settlement which will benefit approximately 2,500 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008. It is estimated to have a total cost of over €24 million.

Generally, under the terms of this settlement, on reaching retirement age, eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors will receive a once off ex-gratia payment in respect of time employed by CE schemes since 2008.

Following Government approval earlier this month, legislative provisions for these payments has been included in the Social Welfare Bill, which will, once enacted, facilitate the payment of processed ex-gratia applications. It is my intention that these payments will issue before the Christmas break, subject to the safe passage of the required legislation. I can confirm that 624 claims have been received to date, with 480 payments processed and ready for payment. Work is ongoing to process the remaining cases as soon as possible. The recipients will receive notification when their payments are issuing.

I can also confirm that the pension auto enrolment process will also apply to CE workers, once operational. CE supervisors and workers also have access to the standard State Contributory Pension and this will also continue in the future.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.