Mr. Damian Ginley:

I thank the Senator. Not alone do our members treat the job they undertake as a job and a function, they are also very conscious of the public role they play in delivering an important service. It is very difficult to wake up in the morning and go into a workplace knowing that one will be met with a crisis response situation in the majority of cases.

The grades we represent have an added concern. They see a blunt instrument, which is what the embargo on recruitment is. At a macro level, it is a tool to cut costs, but porters and those delivering catering, cleaning and other services do not see the same blunt instrument when it comes to spending on agency staff or the use of contractors. People are being threatened in every manner in regard to their future role and function.

The HSE and the Government need to accept and decide once and all whether they are going to provide a public service. We referenced home care earlier. There is investment in that sector, but it is not going to the public servants working in that area. Rather, it is going to the private sector. That obviously includes profit. It is money that could be used to address the terms and conditions of employment of directly employed staff, invest in and build on services and support the roll-out of the community functions we are all on board with. The choice being taken at the moment is about how to contract or outsource and not increase headcount. That is the challenge for our members. When our members get up in the morning and go to work, they find it very difficult in light of all that. It is very challenging.