asked the Minister for Labour the measures the Government are taking, or intend to take, to ensure that employees of contract cleaning agencies, used to clean Government offices, are paid fair wages and given acceptable conditions of employment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Office Cleaners' Pay.
17.
The cleaning of Government offices is carried out by three categories of cleaners viz. full-time cleaners, part-time cleaners and contract cleaners. Where contract cleaners are used responsibility for availing of their services rests with the individual Departments concerned, but the remuneration and conditions of employment of the cleaners in this category are matters for negotiation between the cleaning firms and their employees.
In response to an application from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions the Labour Court has had under consideration the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee for the contract cleaning industry in the city and county of Dublin. Such a committee would be empowered under the Industrial Relations Acts to submit proposals to the Labour Court fixing minimum rates of remuneration and regulating conditions of employment of workers in the industry. The court may then proceed to incorporate these proposals in an Employment Regulation Order which carries statutory force.
The court has already concluded all the specified procedures under the Industrial Relations Acts, including the holding of an inquiry to consider the establishment of the Joint Labour Committee. The court is now proceeding with the making of the establishment order. Details of the order will be published in due course.
I am aware that the Minister is interested in this question, as he indicated a couple of months ago. Would he agree that the people concerned, particularly contract cleaners, are possibly the most vulnerable section and are in need of special protection? Can the Minister indicate that the Labour Court will proceed at speed to establish a JLC which he has suggested and can he give us any firm date for when it will be established?
I cannot give a specific, firm date to the Deputy because, as he is aware, it is a matter for the Labour Court. He is also aware of my own personal interest in this area. I will ensure that the Labour Court will take note of the question asked in the Dáil and of the concern of the House in relation to having this established as quickly as possible.
Would the Minister like to indicate what proportion of the total cleaning business is done by contract cleaners as distinct from full-time and part-time cleaners mentioned by him in his reply?
The information I have indicates that out of 17 departments 15 use contract cleaners.
The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.