Industrial Disputes

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 December 2010

Tuesday, 7 December 2010

Questions (47)

Niall Collins

Question:

48 Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the number of industrial disputes, industrial actions including work to rule presently being engaged in by staff of her Department; when these actions were initiated; the individual subject matter of each dispute or action; the current status of each dispute or action; the estimated loss in productivity arising from each dispute or action; if each dispute or action is in contravention of the Croke Park agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46513/10]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

There are four unions that represent the administrative and non administrative staff at my Department. The Association of Higher Civil & Public Servants (A.H.C.P.S.), the Public Service Executive Union (P.S.E.U.), the Civil Public & Services Union (C.P.S.U.) and the Irish Municipal Public & Civil Trade Union (IMACT). The four are parties to the terms of the Croke Park Agreement. None of the unions concerned is engaged in industrial action within the Department at this time.

In line with the concept of Partnership my Department holds regular Partnership and Departmental Council meetings at which the unions are represented and they can place any issues of concern they may have on the agenda. In addition to this where a union has a particular concern affecting its members it can request officials at my Department to host a bi-lateral meeting to discuss the matter.