Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am raising again the issue relating to section 39 workers. They carry out many necessary types of work, including work for people with disabilities, healthcare and addiction services. These services are all talking about how they cannot retain workers. Sometimes that is because people are leaving to work directly for the HSE where they are on better conditions which makes sense from a personal perspective. To deal with this, we need to see the introduction of decent pay and conditions. I would like to see some engagement on this.

I also raise hourly respite in Dundalk. I have been dealing with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, on this. I do not expect the Taoiseach to come back with an answer but it looks as though it is closed. There is an issue with the staff from there and there may be others so that it can keep two other respite centres open. This is not something we want to see and I would like the Taoiseach to speak with the Minister of State and whoever else is necessary to deliver an optimum solution.

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