248. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update on the agreement reached to increase community employment supervisors’ pay in 2023; if she will confirm that the Government committed to re-enter talks with the union representatives of community employment workers in 2024; if she will provide an update on any ongoing talks process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45542/24]

Community Employment (CE) schemes deliver important locally based community services, while providing a valuable training and development opportunity to the long-term unemployed and to those furthest removed from the labour market.

The Deputy will be aware that CE scheme supervisors and assistant supervisors are employees of private companies in the community and voluntary sector that receive public funding.  The terms and conditions of employment for these employees, including remuneration, are primarily a matter for individual employers and employees as part of the employment relationship.

In 2023, Pay increases were awarded to CE supervisors, an increase of 3% from 1 April 2023 and 2% from 1 November 2023, the funding for which was provided by my Department as the programme funder.

Officials from my Department, as the programme funder, continue to engage in ongoing discussions with the employer and unions representatives on a range of issues including remuneration.

In particular, in respect of this issue, I have written to Paschal Donohoe, Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform seeking approval for my officials to progress the remuneration discussions.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.