John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raised this matter early last year with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I said that section 39 organisations are public benefit organisations, as charities they are part of public service. Then they get contracts from the HSE to deliver public services. Other organisations, be they section 38 or the HSE itself, are doing the same work. Responding to me, the Minister said he would anchor this matter into current negotiations. There was no sense in the last week that the Department understands that the matter is anchored. If one moves pay for one group of people who are doing the same work as others, and both are doing it for and on behalf of the State, they are enjoined in this. The Department has to come here and give an account. There is a migration of people who have been trained and who have built up relationships with people with disabilities but they can get a better job. Fair play to them. There is a lot of pressure to get better jobs, but the person who is disabled and the organisation which is trying to meet the commitments that it has to the State in service agreements, to deliver quality services to a standard, are stuck. The person is most stuck and the organisation is enjoined in that. The Department must come in and play its part. I am glad that the Department of Health and the HSE is doing so.