Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
75. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the engagements his Department has had with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and his Department on resolving the disparity in pay and conditions of section 39-funded workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31362/23]
View answerMy Department recognises that many organisations are experiencing significant challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. These challenges are mirrored in many of the caring and public facing health and social care professions across the State. The sustainability of the sector is a concern for both the Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and I recognise that the ability of service providers to pay their staff is highly dependent on State funding. Similar considerations arise in respect of other sectors across Government so this adds to the complexity of seeking to resolve matters for any specific sector.
Notwithstanding that the employees of Section 39 organisation do not have an employment relationship with the HSE or my Department, a process of engagement to examine the pay claim of workers in community and voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government. I am aware of the position of the unions and remain fully committed to effectively addressing these matters through the current Workplace Relations Commission process.
I can confirm that officials from my Department, the Department of Health, the HSE and Tusla met with officials from the employees representative bodies in the offices of the Workplace Relations Commission on 17 April, 15 May and 28 June this year to progress matters.
I am fully committed to addressing matters through the current WRC process and I want to see matters effectively and quickly resolved in the interests of services users, staff and providers.
