Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The issue of staff retention is so important, especially there are significant numbers of vacancies on some of our community disability network teams and in other areas in the section 56 organisations. Pay differentials have a role in this regard. This is why it is important we act within the powers we have, again recognising that neither we as the Government or the HSE are the direct employers of these staff. Nevertheless, we must take the steps that we can do. This gap has existed for more than a decade and this is why the Government has identified that we need the process. The Government has agreed to take part in that process. It is ongoing at the moment and there have been a number of productive engagements. It is an issue that I have discussed in my Department and work is taking place between my Department and the Department of Health. As I have said, I look forward to, and hope that we can get, a process that is agreed between the agencies, the Departments and the trade unions, that can deliver for staff but primarily for the users of these services.

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