Employment affairs minister Regina Doherty has triggered intensive talks between unions and her department, with a view to finding a solution in a long-running dispute involving community employment (CE) supervisors.

Officials from Fórsa and Siptu, who met the minister earlier this week, said she seemed focused on finding an outcome acceptable to both sides.

The talks will take place between now and the end of September and will be set in the context of a 2008 Labour Court recommendation, which essentially supported the CE supervisors’ case.

Last May, the unions lifted the threat of five days of industrial action when the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection agreed to enter into a talks process aimed at resolving the problem.

The agreed talks process will involve departmental officials and union representatives, with input from the minister where necessary.