Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach is right that there has been an increase in funding and services. I welcome that and I stated that but those services are delivered by staff; by the workers who man those services. The Taoiseach said himself that this has been the way since it started but I would put it to him that it is time to change or at least review that. The average salary in these organisations is €33,000 per annum, yet the average wage in Ireland in 2019, based on CSO information, is between €40,000 and €49,000. Most of these staff have level 9 qualifications or master’s degrees and they provide the services that are invaluable to families and young people. It is not good enough to stand back and say that Tusla has increased the funding. Part of that money should be written into the tender or the public procurement and set aside. Do not ask me how to do it as there are enough experts to figure that out but part of that money must go to ensure that the staff who provide those services have decent jobs and wages and want to remain in the service because staff retention is a huge issue which we need to act on.

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