Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Departmental Staff.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

258 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if every employee of Dúchas is entitled to and has been issued with a contract of employment setting out his or her duties; if the rates of pay and subsistence or allowance relative to each scale or grade of employee is issued; if the information available clearly explains the entitlements of employees; the structure within the organisation to deal efficiently with staff queries; if queries exist within the Kilkenny depot regarding the payment of overtime and subsistence dating back to 1994 or earlier; if the personnel section of Dúchas or her Department has dealt with the claim; if comparisons have been made of same grades in other depots to ensure parity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8649/01]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera): Employees of Dúchas, the Heritage Service of my Department, are issued with contracts of employment setting out their entitlements in accordance with the provisions of the Terms of Employment (Information) Act, 1994. Details of subsequent revisions of pay, allowances and other entitlements are issued on an ongoing basis. Inquiries relating to these matters are raised with the local office in the first instance. Where necessary, the local office will, on behalf of any employee, seek any additional clarification that may be required from the relevant head office division.

As I outlined to the Deputy in my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 486 on 20 March 2001, different employees qualify for different allowances depending on their grade, work location and commencement date. Such allowances derive from central agreements with the relevant trade unions. If the Deputy furnishes me with details regarding the queries to which he refers within the Kilkenny depot, I shall arrange to have the matter examined.