Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
416. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the solutions that can be offered in relation to a strike (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43556/23]
View answerThe 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. The Government is therefore committed to resolving this issue.
In July, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Health made a combined offer of a 5% pay funding increase to employer bodies.
This offer was in line with those accepted by community and voluntary staff in other sectors. The offer to workers in this sector amounted to a 5% increase in funding for pay effective from November 2023, with 3% backdated to April 2023.
This combined offer was not accepted by trade union representatives and last week unions representing some Section 39 and Section 56 workers announced that their members in a selection of employer organisations would take indefinite strike action.
While Government has engaged in a process through the Workplace Relations Commission, it is worth noting that Section 39 and Section 56 organisations are privately owned and operated, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in those organisations are ultimately between the employer and their employees.
Similar considerations arise in respect of other sectors across Government adding to the complexity in seeking to resolve matters in any specific sector. All involved parties want to see a meaningful resolution that improves sustainability and the ability of these vital organisations - including the organisation you refer to - to actively recruit and retain staff.
Any industrial action will impact negatively on the people who use these services, and I continue to urge representative bodies to return to the negotiation process, to avoid industrial action and the negative impacts this will have on service users.
In the meantime the Government is working with the relevant agencies (Tusla/HSE) who 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.
