Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 5

Written Answers - Youthreach Sector.

Peadar Clohessy

Ceist:

48 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Education the pay and conditions that apply in the Youthreach sector; the person who establishes such rates of pay and conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5172/97]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

76 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education the issues, if any, which remain to be resolved in the dispute with staff in the Youthreach service; and her understanding of the important role which this service has in education. [5186/97]

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

168 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the progress, if any, which has been made in providing permanent status for the co-ordinators of the Youthreach programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5469/97]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The pay and conditions for instruction staff in the Youthreach sector were established when the programme was established on a pilot basis in 1989.

Paragraph 6.37 of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work provided for a review of the staffing arrangements for the Youthreach programme. In accordance with this provision, and following agreement with the Teachers' Union of Ireland, a consultant was engaged to review the staffing structure of the programme. The consultant's report was submitted in April 1996.

Negotiations on pay and conditions for Youthreach commenced between my Department and the union representing instruction staff in the programme. Facilitation and arbitration under the terms of the Government/ICTU PCW statement of 15 May 1996 was offered to the union in November 1996. The union referred the matter to the central review committee of theProgramme for Competitiveness and Work for the determination on the question of the applicability to Youthreach of the terms of the “Chairman's Minute concerning New Companies or Newly Organised Employees in Employments where no unionisation already exists.” This matter has now been resolved and the Teachers' Union of Ireland has agreed the revised terms of reference for the facilitation and arbitration process which was offered to the union on 14 February 1997. In effect, my Department has confirmed to the Teachers' Union of Ireland that it is prepared to enter further negotiations with the aid of a facilitator, if necessary, in an attempt to reach agreement on as many issues as possible. My Department is also prepared to refer any outstanding issues for adjudication to the Public Service Arbitration Board operating on an ad hoc basis.

My Department is fully committed to reaching an amicable solution to the issues involved in this matter and thereby recognise the contribution which the youthreach instruction staff make to enabling the educationally disadvantaged participants in the programme to enhance their prospects in the labour market.