Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The HSE has made it clear to unions from day one that the circular that gives effect to the decision to pay non-HSE staff lies squarely with the Department of Health and the Minister. In essence, that power lies squarely with the Government and it is not delivering this payment, a bonus payment of recognition that has now become a much-needed cost-of-living payment for those workers. The longer the Government shirks its responsibilities, the longer these workers will be left high and dry during the worst cost-of-living crisis of our time.

In our alternative budget, the Labour Party has again focused on meeting the massive unmet demand for disability services which the disability capacity review found required an all-in investment of €350 million in 2022 and for this year would again commit €270 million in funding. These are vital commitments to vital services in residential care, day services, personal assistant hours and respite care. We acknowledge that some effort has been made in this budget in that regard but we need to see the detail of how it will be delivered. We have no faith that there is a plan in place to staff the positions that are needed to deliver in this regard.

Life and work in Ireland are becoming increasingly difficult for too many. I have seen in my clinics over the past three years a big increase in the number of people in my community reaching out and asking for help. It is all too frequently someone who has been served an eviction notice by their landlord or someone who is unable to afford basic bills and household expenses. I have heard from many young people whose options are narrowing towards emigration. The Government today announced €215 million for homeless services, which is an increase of €21 million. It was announced as if that is an achievement. It makes a lie of any claim that Housing for All has been a success.

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