Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 4

Written Answers. - Pay Increases.

John Perry

Ceist:

182 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the household and catering staff in St. Angela's College, County Sligo have not been granted the 8% pay increase which was due on 1 October 2000; the steps he has taken to ensure that it is released; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a disparity in the wages paid to household and catering staff in the same grade in St. Catherine's College, Dublin; the reason for the difference in this regard; when the pay parity will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28870/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

Certain catering and domestic staff in St. Angela's College are currently on CJLC, Catering Joint Labour Committee, rates of pay. These rates are set by employment regulation orders of the Catering Joint Labour Committee of the Labour Court under section 48 of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. These orders fix statutory minimum rates of remuneration which are inclusive of round increases under the national wage agreements and regulate the statutory conditions of employment of the workers concerned. The current employment regulation order is dated August 2000 and, therefore, excludes 5.5% due under the first round of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness in October. My Department expects this increase to be included in the next order, which should be issued sometime next year.

It would be usual for claims to be submitted to my Department following local discussions. My Department has not received any formal claims from St. Angela's College concerning the household and catering staff in the college. My Department will consider such claims on their merits and within the context of national pay agreements when they are received.