Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this issue, which we have been raising consistently for a number of months. From meeting with section 39 organisations as our spokesperson on health and a constituency Deputy, it is evident that these bodies, which provide wonderful health care and disability services, will be incapable of functioning if this situation continues. We cannot have dedicated people who are providing essential services to those who need them being unappreciated in terms of pay restoration. While we welcome the unwinding of the pay cuts that were implemented in recent years, the idea that we would not address the rights and entitlements of section 39 workers is not acceptable. It is essential that we address them.

I am primarily making this contribution because of the services that these workers deliver. From travelling the country in his role as the Minster of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Finian McGrath, knows well the importance of section 39 organisations and what they do. Across the country, oversight, fiduciary duties, fundraising and capital investment are provided voluntarily. We are simply asking that the State makes its contribution through pay restoration for the workers providing these essential services. We are not asking for anything beyond that.

It is incumbent on the Minister of State and the Government to at least put a process in place between now and March to address these issues. The Government must determine how many section 39 organisations there are and budget for their cost implications. All this must be done soon. The matter must be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and the Public Service Pay Commission, PSPC, if we are to start unwinding the pay cuts and ensure parity between section 38s and section 39s. If the Government does not do this, there will be a continual downgrading of essential services in communities across the country. Organisations will not be able to guarantee services because they will not be able to retain or recruit staff.

The Government is getting exceptional value for money. The many audits of section 39 bodies that were conducted during the downturn showed the majority to be exemplary in their financial prudence and efficiencies.

In my constituency there are many such examples. It is evident across the county of Cork and the country and every Deputy is aware of it. We need to ensure the Government acknowledges the importance of the role they play and is upfront on the issue of pay restoration in order that the workers will have their basic rights and entitlements restored, just like workers in section 38 organisations and the rest of the public service. The Government must also ensure those who depend on the services provided will have an opportunity to avail of them from workers who have parity of esteem with those in section 38 organisations and the broader public service. I commend the motion to the House.

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