Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has called on the Minister for Social Protection to stand by his commitment to publish the Report into Seasonal and Part Time workers’ rights and entitlements to obtain Social Welfare payments.
The West Donegal TD sought full report at Social Welfare Bill stage last December.
Minister Varadkar gave an undertaking then that the Report would be furnished to the Social Protection Committee by end of March or early April.
Deputy Gallagher said that following a series of Dáil questions by him to the Minister, it now appears that delays will occur in issuing the report to the committee.
This will lead to further delays in bringing about solutions for the hundreds of seasonal and part time workers right throughout Donegal and rural Ireland, said Deputy Gallagher.
Pat the Cope added that hundreds of traditionally seasonal and part-time workers have been denied their social welfare payments since their employment ceased due to the changes brought about in the various social welfare bills since 2011.
“It is now virtually impossible for seasonal and part time workers to access a social welfare payment based on the contributions made, due to the changes in number of necessary contributions and subsidiary income thresholds.
“Minister Varadkar must honour his commitment and proactively work with us in solving these problems facing seasonal and part time workers, the current situation is grossly unfair and is actively discriminating against Seasonal Workers and it is further removing the incentive to work which is counterproductive and will lead to a skills shortage in certain sectors of employment.
“The Department had since last December, to bring about solutions which would help workers and their families, help sustain rural communities but they have failed to deliver thus far despite having ample time.”
Pat the Cope suggested that perhaps the Minister is overly distracted in trying to become leader of Fine Gael to bother about workers’ rights and entitlements but commitments will have to be honoured and fulfilled.
“There is no getting away from the fact that hundreds of workers who have traditionally worked on a seasonal and traditional basis now can no longer access their social welfare payments upon ceasing work – this is leading to hardship and difficulties in sustaining families and income levels within the homes.
“It is completely wrong that there is a failure to address this ongoing problem for seasonal and part time workers. This matter should not require a special report – all it requires is the commitment and priority of the Government to solve the problem but that is not forthcoming so far.
“I am challenging the Government and the Minister to intervene and work on the proposals submitted to the Department by the workers and myself and solve this matter – this matter cannot drag on further, it is time to get real and serious about the plight of seasonal and part time workers and restore their rights and entitlements to Social Protection payments,” concluded Pat the Cope.
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