Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is not an easy issue and we are aware of the complexity of it. It is, however, important for us to keep the pressure up. These workers took pay cuts back during the economic crash, in line with public sector workers. They have not had their pay restored. We are looking at the structure of the CDNTs, which we all want to see be successful. CDNTs are provided across HSE services and across, section 38 and section 39 organisations. The vacancy rates are at 34%, the equivalent of 707 whole-time equivalent posts, given some of the more recent figures. They fluctuate and we hope they will be going in a better direction. Section 39 voluntary workers are working in CDNTs and looking into their next region where workers are doing the same job but working for the HSE and on better rates. We all accept there is a lack of fairness there. It is not easily resolved. I am glad there is a process but I would ask, and I will continue to raise this, that the Minister and the other Departments will stick with this process to try to get a resolution for pay justice here.

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