Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague Deputy Dara Calleary for introducing this motion on behalf of the Fianna Fáil Party to highlight the issue of inequality, the need for pay restoration for workers in section 39 organisations and the Government's complete ambivalence in this matter. Section 39 health organisations such as Enable Ireland, Rehab, Cheshire Homes and the hospice in Kildare provide vital services for individuals, society and local communities throughout the country. I welcome the workers who are present in the Visitors Gallery for the debate.

The Government has completely washed its hands of this issue and for far too long dismissed it. This has caused considerable stress and frustration for section 39 organisation workers who, understandably, feel undervalued and under-appreciated.

In 2009 and 2010 the HSE reduced the grants paid to section 39 organisations. It was communicated that the cut in funding was to be applied to the organisations' payroll to ensure the salaries paid to those in section 39 agencies would be the same as those in section 38 agencies. That was fair enough, but the Minister cannot have it both ways. When pay restoration began to happen in the public sector, it was not reflected in the grants paid to section 39 organisations. Their workers are already disadvantaged because they do not have access to public service pensions. At this point, they are trebly disadvantaged, with no access to public service pensions, no increments and no pay restoration. Accordingly, section 39 organisations are struggling to retain and recruit staff. This disparity is impacting on and affecting the provision of vital services, on which we all rely. This is creating a two-tier system, similar to what is happening in the case of teachers which is equally wrong. However, that argument is for another day. We are pitting section 38 and section 39 organisations against each other. If section 39 organisations were to stop doing what they do, it would cost the State far more to provide these vital services. In many cases, they would simply not be provided.

This is all about the service users and what they should have. They need consistency, compassionate and capable professionals who are valued and appreciated on every level, including financially.

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