Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague Deputy Dara Calleary for bringing this motion before the House.

Section 39 organisations provide essential services in local areas which might otherwise be overlooked. Given that the staff of section 39 organisations are categorised as not being public servants, why did the HSE make them subject to the FEMPI legislatin cuts? The matter is further exacerbated by the fact that the HSE is unable to identify the full number of section 39 organisations in existence. Section 39 organisations complied with the measures in good faith. However, they now find themselves left behind as their section 38 colleagues who do exactly the same work are benefiting from pay restoration.

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This is grossly unfair and will impact greatly on organisations across west Cork. These organisations are of great assistance to the people of west Cork, as the Minister of State knows. How can one expect employees to remain with these services when they can receive as much as 10% more by working with section 38 organisations? Employees of section 39 organisations cannot be expected to accept such unfairness and, to avoid industrial action and the negative impact that this will have, it is imperative for the Government to address the matter with the relevant Departments and ensure that these workers receive the payments that they are entitled to receive.

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