Vol. 504 No. 3
37 Ms Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by employees working in community training workshops in establishing the appropriate structures for dealing with industrial relations problems; the steps, if any, she will take to address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11801/99]
The structures under which community training workshops (CTWs) operate are as follows: CTWs are voluntary bodies which provide community based training opportunities to socially or educationally disadvantaged young people. The workshops are under the control of management committees drawn from different sectors of the community. The management committees employ the staff in CTW's and are responsible for the terms and conditions of their employment.
The role of FÁS is to provide funding for the payment of staff wages, and for payment of allowances to trainees. In 1997, a review was undertaken of FÁS's funding of CTW's. The outcome of that review was that FÁS increased its grant to the CTW's to facilitate improvements in the salary levels of CTW staff. Sick leave and annual leave entitlements of CTW staff were also improved.
While I do not have any direct function in relation to the CTW's, my attention has been drawn to a number of specific structural and industrial relations issues, which have arisen in relation to the CTW's.
I have asked my officials to examine the matter with a view to bringing about a resolution as soon as possible.
