Laois Offaly TD urges swift resolution of any employment scheme supervisor pay deal

A Laois Offaly TD has called for a ‘swift and timely’ resolution to any pay deal in relation to CE, TUS and Rural Social Schemes. 

Deputy Carol Nolan welcomed indications that Government has accepted the need for a pay increase for supervisors and assistant supervisors within the CE, TÚS and Rural Social Schemes, but said she remains far from assured that Government will deliver the increase in a timely manner.

She expressed serious concerns around how Government intends to finance any pay deal that may emerge from a negotiation of the issue at the Workplace Relations Commission.

Deputy Nolan raised the matter with the Minister for State at the Department of Social Protection Joe O’Brien in December 2022. At that point Minister O’Brien made it clear that any increase in pay rates would have to consider the impact of such a move on other state funded activities in the wider community and voluntary sector:

“I warmly welcome any indication that Government has finally taken its head out of the sand with respect to CE, TÚS and RSS supervisors and assistant supervisors pay claims,” said Deputy.

“However, it has to be acknowledged that Government also spoke similarly appeasing words about our school secretaries during the entirety of their decades long struggle for pay recognition and pay parity. Accepting the ‘need’ for a pay increase and delivering it are two totally distinct matters.”

“We cannot have a repeat of that kind of approach here with the issue being bounced back and forth between departments and the WRC over the next few years. We need a swift and timely resolution and implementation of any pay deal increase,” she insisted.

 “I would also suggest to the Minister that he steer well clear of reducing the financial supports of any community sector activities in his attempt to fund a pay deal. Government must sanction additional income streams to facilitate the pay rise for CE, TÚS AND RSS supervisors,” she concluded.