Vol. 487 No. 2
111 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is satisfied with the present pay levels to personal assistants whose work allows people with a disability to live independently in the community; the comparisons, if any, used for arriving at their pay levels; whether these take account of the training and expertise involved in their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3687/98]
There are currently two types of personal assistance service being provided. The first is operated by the Irish Wheelchair Association and provides a service to 31 people, employing 58 PAs. The other PA service is provided by centres for independent living throughout the country using the FÁS community employment scheme. This provides a more limited service to about 175 people with severe physical disabilities.
I presume that the Deputy's question refers to the pay rate being paid by the IWA to the personal assistants whom they employ. The position is that as the association is a non-statutory organisation my Department has no function in negotiating or fixing rates of pay for its employees. This is strictly a matter for the IWA as employer.
