Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

Pre-2009 and the crash, all these workers were linked in with public sector pay and got increases as public sector workers got their increases. That is my understanding from talking to people in the canal drugs task force and other task forces.

That link was broken in 2009. I am sure the Minister of State will agree it is a serious issue that these workers have not had their pay restored since 2009. These people are getting up in the morning, going to work, applying their services and then coming home. They have bills to pay, so it is important they get redress quickly. What efforts are being made to ensure funding is provided to ensure these workers have their pay restored and receive the increase under the agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission? I have asked the Canal Communities Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force to give me examples of people who have not been paid. I will give the Minister of State that information when I get it.

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