Public sector pay commission
The Government says work on the public-sector pay and related legislative issues is under way, with heads of two Bills expected in July.
We will now proceed to a new element of our work, agreed as part of the Dáil reform process, and deal with questions on proposed legislation. We have 15 minutes for this element. Before I call on the Leaders to put their questions, I note that five other Members have already indicated they wish to speak.
Comment on this
In terms of the programme for Government, the Tánaiste will be aware that gardaí start on a salary of approximately €23,400. Last week, a number of Deputies across the House as well as Senators attended a presentation by the INTO on the starting salaries of young teachers and all of the difficulties the situation creates. In the programme for Government, there is a commitment to set up a public sector pay commission to examine public sector pay. Will the Tánaiste confirm when this commission will be established and when these issues relating to the pay of young public servants, in particular, will be considered and reviewed?
The programme for Government commits to the transfer of responsibility for criminal legal aid to the Legal Aid Board, which will have new powers to compel criminals to pay a contribution. When will that come before the House? When can we expect it?
On the health (transport support) Bill, the relevant support scheme was cut by the last Government in 2013. At the time, the Government said it would introduce a Bill to place the scheme on a statutory basis. Will the Tánaiste confirm that this Bill will be before the House before the recess?
Finally, will the Tánaiste confirm when the new children's hospital establishment Bill, which is to establish a statutory body to provide paediatric acute services, will be before the House?
Comment on this
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has already confirmed that he is dealing with the Low Pay Commission at present and intends to come before the House in the near future in respect of the matter. On the criminal legal aid board matter, that will be dealt with later in the year. Work has begun on the policy issues.
It is a commitment in the programme for Government but work has just begun on the policy issues. With regard to the other two pieces of legislation, the heads of both Bills are expected for July.