Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before we move on, I tabled an amendment that was ruled out of order but Deputy Burton made reference to it a moment ago. The amendment relates to section 39 organisations including hospices and other care organisations where there is a complete disparity of treatment. Staff in those organisations experienced pay cuts in 2008 and 2009 equivalent to the pay cuts that would have applied to them had they been working in State organisations. Now that we are on a path to pay restoration, however, similar restoration is not been given to them. This is putting section 39 organisations which deliver vital services under enormous pressure in terms of their staff. We have a situation where the HSE is trying to poach staff from these organisations to make up for the gaps in its own service. I know the Minister is working on it and that a report is being prepared but I want to emphasise that we must address this issue. We cannot expect section 39 organisations to do the work while nobbling them with these rules.

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