Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that talks have taken place and further talks are to take place. I look forward to that. As section 39 workers, these staff are not fully funded by the HSE. This impacts on the Kerry Parents and Friends Association because it is operating on an extremely tight budget and funds from fundraising are often used towards the costs of service provision. Pay parity is also an issue with the recruitment of new staff as the association cannot compete with or offer the pay available to section 38 workers. The Kerry Parents and Friends Association has 350 workers operating from 30 centres throughout Kerry doing tremendous work providing day services, residential services, respite, home support and outreach. Its staff pick up people with intellectual disabilities by bus and bring them in to the centres for the day. They do tremendous work and I feel they are not being appreciated. The Kerry Parents and Friends Association continues to be committed to delivering these services and supports related to the needs, wishes and choices of the people with these intellectual disabilities in their communities in places like Killarney, east Kerry and throughout County Kerry.

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