Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
445. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost for 2023 and 2024 of delivering pay parity between section 56, section 38 and section 39 staff. [46720/23]
View answerFollowing intensive talks convened under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission, parties to the process, including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Health, reached agreement with Unions representing Section 39, Section 56 and Section 10 organisations.
The Departments proactively engaged with this voluntary process to ensure the stability and sustainability of services for the benefit of those who rely on these essential services and the workers who are committed to providing quality services.
The agreement, which unions indicated would be recommended to their members, proposes an 8% increase in pay over three phases:
• An increase of 3% from April 1st 2023
• An increase of 2% from 1st November 2023
• An increase of 3% from March 2024.
In addition, the Departments committed to further talks after any future public sector agreement.
Most importantly, this agreement resulted in the postponement of planned industrial action by staff working in these organisations.
No costings are available on the matter of pay parity. It is worth noting that Section 39 and Section 56 organisations are not public bodies, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
Although not public-sector organisations, the Departments are aware that staff working in Section 39 and Section 56 funded organisations have been employed using a multiplicity of terms and conditions, including different rates of remuneration, with the organisations largely dependent on the State for funding.
