Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
453. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the ongoing closure of a service (details supplied); if plans are in place to support clients during this closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53512/23]
View answerThe sustainability and stability of health and social care sectors are a concern for Government and I recognise the ability of voluntary organisations to pay their staff is highly dependent on state funding.
In recent months, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Health proactively engaged with a Workplace Relations Commission 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 essential to providing quality services.
In an effort to avoid industrial action and reach an agreement, officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Department of Health, the HSE and Tusla attended a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) process on 16 October.
Following intensive talks, the parties to the process reached an agreement on funding for pay with Unions representing Section 39, Section 56 and Section 10 organisations.
The agreement reached committed to a significant increase of investment in the sectors amounting to an 8% increase in funding for pay in these organisations.
The agreement included a phasing of funding:
- 3% from 1 April 2023
- An additional 2% from 1 November 2023
- And a further 3% from 1 March 2024
Most importantly, and in the immediate term, this agreement resulted in the postponement of planned industrial action by staff working in these organisations as they considered the pay deal proposed.
On 22 November unions informed the Departments that their members in the organisations balloted - amounting to approx. 5,000 working across a variety of organisations - voted overwhelmingly to accept the agreement. It was backed by 88% of INMO members who voted, 94% of SIPTU members and 75% of Fórsa members.
As part of the agreement Departments have also committed to further talks after any future public sector agreement.
As always, the needs of service users were central considerations in the decision to increase exchequer funding to these service providers.
While Government has engaged in this process and an agreement has been reached, 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.
The Departments are aware that staff employed across the hundreds of funded organisations have been employed using a multiplicity of terms and conditions, including different rates of remuneration and are dependent on Government for funding.
This agreement recognises the important role of staff working in these voluntary bodies and provides certainty to organisations, staff and the people who rely upon them to provide essential services.
