Brendan Griffin
Question:311. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for his advice on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43204/23]
View answerThursday, 5 October 2023
Questions (311)
Written answers
The sustainability and stability of health and social care sectors are a concern for Government and we recognise the ability of voluntary organisations to pay their staff is highly dependent on state funding. I am therefore committed to resolving this issue.
In July my Department and the Department of Health made a combined offer of a 5% pay funding increase to employer bodies. This is in line with offers accepted by community and voluntary workers in other sectors and included a commitment to further engage with unions pending the conclusion of any public sector pay talks. This offer remains on the table.
Early last week unions representing Section 39 and Section 56 workers announced that their members in a selection of employer organisations would take indefinite strike action from Tuesday 17 October.
Actions will involve health and community workers in a variety of grades and in multiple locations across 19 voluntary service provider organisations.
Any industrial action will impact negatively on the people who use their services, and I encourage the unions and employers to return to the negotiation process, to avoid industrial action and the negative impacts this will have on service users.
In the meantime the relevant agencies (Tusla/HSE) are engaged in contingency planning with the employer organisations that will be affected by industrial action, so that any impact on those who depend on these essential services can be managed to the greatest extent possible.
I am conscious that similar considerations arise in respect of other sectors across Government adding to the complexity in seeking a resolution for any specific sector.
The Department is engaging in on-going dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive in relation to the Budget 2024 and DCEDIY recognises that a solution to the current situation will involve much needed additional investment into these sectors.
These discussions are still progressing and until they are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the level of available funding to address this or any other area that could benefit from increased funding next year.