Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
889. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that apart from some long service incremental increases for long-serving staff in 2017, staff in the Citizens Information Service have not received a wage increase since 2008 (details supplied); her plans to implement this recommended wage increase; the date for the implementation of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56847/23]
View answerThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) is the statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, with responsibility for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money and budgeting advice) and advocacy on a wide range of public and social services.
CIB provides some services directly to the public and funds and supports a number of Service Delivery Companies to provide services on its behalf, including eight regional companies of the Citizens Information Service (CIS).
I absolutely recognise and value the essential work carried out by staff of the CIS and their dedication to their role in ensuring that people have access to quality and independent information, advice and advocacy services across the country.
DSP allocates annual Exchequer funding to CIB to deliver its services and the services of its Service Delivery Companies, including the CIS companies. In July 2023, as part of the Estimates process, CIB submitted a funding request for 2024 to the Department. This request included additional funding for a 11% pay increase for employees of the CIS and followed a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) process that directly involved both SIPTU and the CIS Employers Group.
However, neither my Department nor the Department of Public Expenditure and NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) had any involvement in this pay request or the WRC process that led to it. It is important that any pay request, which impacts the services under a remit of a Government Department are carefully considered well in advance and have the involvement of all relevant stakeholders including my Department and DPENDPR from early in the process.
I therefore believe that the best way forward is for all relevant stakeholders, including CIB, the employer and staff CIS representatives, my Department and DPENDPR, to engage on this issue.
