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

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward this motion regarding the fact that workers in the community and voluntary sector have not had a pay rise for 14 years. When you say it quickly, 14 years slips off the tongue, but that is a very long time. As somebody said at yesterday's briefing on the issue, they are tired asking for equity, justice and a bit of respect, and for an acknowledgement that their work matters. All of us in this Chamber and throughout the country know how much their work matters. There are so many services on which so many people rely right throughout the country, in rural and urban areas, towns, villages and inner cities - in family resource centres, drugs services, Tús, RSS and CE schemes, youth services, LEADER companies, services for children, adults, older people and education services. It is a very long list.

I have only mentioned some of the areas, but these are the kinds of service that form a type of safety net in society. They are the kind of services that all of us as individuals or family members will require at some point in our lives. These services are run by voluntary boards, volunteers who give their time, commitment and energy trying to provide, in conjunction with the State, local services to support local communities. On a regular basis, all of us are approached by groups in our constituency who want to set up these kinds of services to serve the local community. Only the day before yesterday I was approached by some people in Manorhamilton, who are looking to set up a family resource centre in north Leitrim. That is the kind of service that supports families, but it is not coming from the State, it is coming from the local community, from people who are willing to give their energy, time and commitment and to fundraise and work with the State agencies to set up this vitally necessary service that will support their local community. That is what is important here.

The service is one thing, but the workers, those who deliver the services, must be supported and resourced, as they should be. Sometimes I wonder if it is because these services are run by volunteers and voluntary boards which do not cost the State - they are free and there is no extra cost - is perhaps part of the reason that the services are not valued the way they should be. If that is the case, it is unjust and discriminatory.

I spoke to these workers yesterday but I have spoken to representatives in my office many times and met, in Leinster House on many occasions, representatives particularly of section 39 workers. All of them feel passed from Billy to Jack. They know their salaries and hours are set by the Government - their employer has no say in this - yet the Government says it has no responsibility for wage increases. There have been no increases since 2008. One person said yesterday, in what I thought was the best description ever, that they feel like nobody's child. There was the recent sleight of hand - that is all I can call it, although it gives me no joy to do so - of the €100 million we have all been told about, by the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste and last night in the Chamber by the Minister of State, but we need clarity here. It is my understanding, and I ask her to correct me if I am wrong, that this money is largely intended to meet additional costs due to skyrocketing inflation, increased energy costs and so on. All agencies and organisations need additional resources just to finance their increased day-to-day spending. This money has not, again as far as I know, been specifically earmarked for an increase in workers' pay for section 39, section 56 and section 10 workers and so on. On hearing three times in the past week, from the most senior of politicians, that this money is somehow meant to deal with the issue, when we know it will not bridge the gap, it is no wonder workers who have waited patiently react with anger and disbelief.

The way forward is straightforward: the Government must engage with the unions that represent the workers and agree a mechanism and a way forward that will guarantee these workers receive their long-overdue pay increases. As we are all aware, the directive on collective agreements has to be implemented. Perhaps this would be an excellent way to start implementing that legislation. Crucially, any agreement cannot and must not threaten in any way the viability of these services. We must not pit workers against service users under any circumstances because these services fill the gaps left by the State. They are essential services, and in many cases, they are a lifeline for those on the margins but, as I said earlier, they are not only for them. All of us at some point in our lives, whether ourselves or our families, will use these services because they are for all of society.

The Government has consistently refused to accept any responsibility for pay and conditions in this sector, insisting the State is not the employer. It is washing its hands and that means these workers have had the worst of both worlds. When the Government reduced pay in 2008 during the crash, they paid a price and their pay was reduced but when it comes to pay increases, the Government is basically saying they can take the pain. In fact, it is saying it will see to it that they will take the pain, but that where there is gain, they are not in line for increases and that is just wrong.

Staff retention is a huge issue, with up to one third of staff leaving annually, which is simply to be expected. These workers are sick of listening to the answer, "No". Let us give them the answer, "Yes". Let us say we will sit down with them, go through the process with the Workplace Relations Commission, take responsibility and treat them fairly and with respect.

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