Seán Sherlock
Ceist:125. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if the ex-gratia scheme for community employment supervisors where such supervisors were made redundant would apply. [59447/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 November 2022
Ceisteanna (125, 129)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:129. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in respect of ex-gratia payments for persons who served as community employment supervisors. [59444/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 129 together.
CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors sought for several years through their union representatives, SIPTU and Forsa, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation relating to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors who are employed by CE scheme sponsoring organisations.
A final settlement was agreed with unions representing CE supervisors and assistant supervisors at the end of 2021. This settlement resolves this long-standing issue through the payment of a once off ex-gratia payment to eligible CE supervisors and assistant supervisors. Some 2,500 people employed by CE schemes going back to 2008 will benefit; at an estimated total cost of over €24 million.
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 can now apply for this payment. It will not apply to persons, who received redundancy payments in respect of periods of time employed by CE schemes.
Over the past number of months, an administrative and ICT system to accept applications and process payments was put in place within the Department of Social Protection. The first group of ex-gratia applications have been received - these relate to persons who retired since 2008. In total, 624 completed applications have been received, with 480 of these processed. The balance are being worked on at present with a view to having them ready for payment as soon as possible.
Following Government approval earlier this month, legislative provisions to provide for these payments have been included in the Social Welfare Budget Bill, which will also facilitate the payment of processed applications. It is my intention that these payments will issue before the Christmas break. Recipients will receive notification when their payments are issuing.
I trust this clarifies the matters.