asked the Minister for the Public Service the arrangements made for the cleaning of his Department's buildings; whether such arrangements stipulate a minimum rate of pay for cleaning staff; their rate of pay; whether such workers are recognised as members of trade unions; whether they have work breaks, and if so, for how long; whether such cleaners work overtime; if so the amount; whether cleaning staff are also required to lock up the building in which they work; and if they are paid for doing so, and the amount.
Written Answers. - Cleaning Staff.
80.
Proinsias de Rossa
Most of the office cleaning in my Department's buildings is provided on a contract basis by private contract cleaning firms. These contracts require firms to provide their employees with rates of remuneration and conditions of employment which are not less favourable than those set out in the current Employment Regulation Order, Contract Cleaning (City and County of Dublin) Joint Labour Committee. Subject to the above requirement the actual conditions and rates of pay are matters between the individual firms and their employees.
A small number of cleaners are employed directly by my Department. Such cleaners enjoy the general conditions attached to unestablished staff in the Civil Service and are paid at the rate of £113.10 per week. In my Department cleaning staff are not required to lock up the buildings.