Department agrees to talks with IDA on dental treatment

THE Irish Dental Association (IDA) and the Department of Social and Family Affairs have finally agreed to open settlement talks.

The IDA yesterday welcomed the breakthrough in the dispute, which the association claims has resulted in the majority of 1.7 million insured workers being unable to access dental treatment.

However, the Department maintains most people are being treated by dentists who continue to operate within existing contracts.

IDA leader Donal Atkins said that negotiations are expected to begin within the next fortnight.

Meanwhile, talks between teachers’ unions and the Department of Education on the issue of pensionability broke down yesterday as both sides failed to hammer out an agreement on the contentious issue.

While the issue of pensionability has been agreed in principle, how it will be introduced and interpreted has yet to be decided.

Both the Teacher’s Union of Ireland and the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation have called on the Government to appoint a facilitator to help progress discussions. Tom Pomphrett from the Labour Relations Commission, who played a crucial role in the last round of negotiations, is expected to be appointed.

Both of the unions said last night they were hopeful talks would resume with the presence of a facilitator by early next week.

Meanwhile moves to defuse a threatened half-day nationwide stoppage by thousands of workers on Friday October 4 next are expected in the coming weeks. Tanaiste and Enterprise Minister Mary Harney is to bring the matter before Cabinet in the coming weeks.

The row is likely to have major implications for any new national agreement with the social partners.

The unions are demanding an increase in statutory redundancy payments to three weeks per year of service. Employees are currently only entitled to a half week's pay per year of service if they are under 41 years of age and one week's pay per year above that age. The Redundancy Payments Acts is 35 years old.

The dispute was triggered by the refusal of the Irish Glass Bottle Company to agree to pay a Labour Court recommendation of five weeks pay per year of service.

In addition management of Peerless Rugs in Athy,Co. Kildare refused to pay three weeks pay per year of service.