Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
493. 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 and section 38 staff contracted by his Department through section 56 organisations. [46719/23]
View answerThe sustainability and stability of health and social care sectors and the impact of industrial action on essential services is a concern for Government.
Although the organisations are not within the public sector, my Department and the Department of Health are aware that staff working across these Section 39 and Section 56 organisations have been employed using a multiplicity of terms and conditions, including different rates of remuneration, and are largely dependent on the State for funding.
Following intensive talks under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), parties to the process, including my Department, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive and Tusla, reached a pay agreement with unions representing Section 39, Section 56 and Section 10 organisations. This agreement has resulted in the postponement of industrial action by staff working in these organisations as they consider the pay deal proposed.
The agreement, that unions have indicated will be put to their members, proposes an 8% increase in pay over three phases:
• An increase of 3% from 1st April 2023;
• An increase of 2% from 1st November 2023;
• An increase of 3% from 1st March 2024.
In addition, agreement was reached to commence a process to consider appropriate further adjustments in funding, having regard to Building Momentum and any successor public sector pay agreement.
In that context, the estimated cost for 2023 and 2024 to deliver pay parity between section 56 staff and Section 38/HSE staff is not available at present as the aforementioned process remains ongoing.
My officials will continue to engage in this process as it progresses.
