Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to thank both Deputies for raising this important issue. It affects all of us in each of our constituencies around the country. We all know of the really vital work that is carried out by the people we are discussing here this morning.

The sustainability and stability of health and social care sectors are a concern for Government and we recognise the ability of voluntary organisations to pay their staff is highly dependent on State funding. We are, therefore, committed to resolving this issue. I am particularly aware that staff recruitment and retention challenges are affecting the sustainability and stability of section 39 and section 56 organisations and their ability to deliver services on behalf of the State.

These challenges are mirrored in many of the health and social care professions throughout the country. In July, the Departments of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and Health made a combined offer of a 5% pay funding increase to employer bodies. This offer was in line with those that have been accepted by community and voluntary staff in other sectors. The offer to workers in this sector amounted to a 5% increase in funding for pay effective from November 2023, with 3% backdated to April 2023. This offer remains on the table and includes a commitment to re-engage with trade union representatives following any further public sector pay agreement. This combined offer was not accepted by trade union representatives and early last week unions representing some section 39 and section 56 workers announced that their members in a selection of employer organisations would take indefinite strike action from Tuesday, 17 October.

I understand that actions will involve health and community workers in a variety of grades and in multiple locations across 19 voluntary service provider organisations. Any industrial action will impact negatively on the people who use their services, and I encourage the unions and employers to return to the negotiation process, to avoid industrial action and the negative impacts this will have on service users. In the meantime, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is working with the relevant agencies, Tusla and the HSE, that are engaged in contingency planning with the employer organisations that will be affected by industrial action, so that any impact on those who depend on these essential services can be managed to the greatest extent possible.

While the Government has engaged in a process through the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, it is worth noting that section 39 and section 56 organisations are privately owned and operated, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in those organisations are ultimately between the employer and their employees. I do, however, recognise the point that has been made by the Deputies that a solution to the current situation will involve much-needed additional investment into these sectors. Acknowledging the critical nature of the current situation, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is engaged in ongoing dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Delivery and Reform, the HSE and Tusla in respect of budget 2024. These discussions are still progressing and until they are concluded, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the level of available funding to address this or any other area that could benefit from increased funding next year.

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