I propose to take Questions Nos. 630, 631, 632 and 633 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, Community Employment (CE) supervisors and CE assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme.
Agreement was recently reached between the Department of Social Protection and unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors that resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. On the 23rd December, both unions involved confirmed acceptance of this settlement which will benefit over 2,200 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008. It is estimated to have a total cost of over €24 million.
CE Supervisors and assistant supervisors will apply directly to the ex-gratia scheme once the process for doing so has been established. Each application will be reviewed and payments will based on the scheme as agreed with unions. In this context and given the details available at this time, it is difficult to comment on the specific case or examples raised by the Deputy.
Generally, under the terms of this settlement, on reaching retirement age, eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors will receive a once off ex-gratia payment in respect of time employed by CE schemes since 2008. People who retired since 2008 and who have reached retirement age will be able to apply for payments immediately when the scheme is in place. CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who retire on ill health grounds can also apply for the payment subject to the provision of supporting documents and medical evidence.
The ex-gratia payment provides for 2 weeks pay per year of service or part thereof in the qualifying period. The calculation will be based on the salary point of the CE supervisor or CE assistant supervisor on the date of retirement, subject to a cap of €600 per week.
The qualifying period for the scheme is from 1st July 2008 to 31st December 2023 and will apply to all periods of employment as a CE supervisor or CE assistant supervisor during that period subject to certain conditions.
The Department of Social Protection is currently working on the administrative arrangements to implement the agreed settlement so that payments will issue to qualified CE workers in 2022.
I trust that clarifies the matter for the Deputy.