Vol. 513 No. 6
82 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Science the position in relation to the industrial action in his Department which has affected the answering of parliamentary questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3176/00]
100 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if the industrial action being taken by staff within the building section of his Department has been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3338/00]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 82 and 100 together.
Members of the Public Service Executive Union in my Department voted in favour of industrial action with effect from 17 January 2000 in pursuit of a staffing claim. Under the terms of the industrial action, the union has instructed its members not to carry out the following work: answering representations from public representatives; answering parliamentary questions; dealing with speeches and information notes for the Minister, Ministers of State and the Secretary General of the Department; dealing with new schemes introduced since 1 January 1999 where the required staffing resources have not been provided.
At a meeting held with the union on Tuesday, 1 February, my Department clarified the position of management in relation to the allocation of additional staffing and has responded in writing to a number of specific queries raised by the union. The union is currently consulting with its members in Tullamore, Athlone and Dublin and aims to complete the process by tomorrow, Wednesday, 9 February. I wish to assure the Deputies that my Department is making every effort to bring about an early resolution of the dispute.
