Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Minister's detailed response. However, it is disappointing that the HSE has not responded. While I appreciate that we are taking the matter at an earlier time, I cannot underline enough the seriousness of the situation. There are 40 pupils in the school and there are parents, families and staff who are deeply concerned. I am not overdramatising the situation but clearly it is high risk. As I said, these are some of our most vulnerable people and it behoves us as Members of this House to ensure this situation is remedied. I know the Minister will take a personal interest and I hope it can be resolved in the coming days.

Whilst I have time, the floor and the ear of the Minister, I also want to raise the issue of the staff at St. Christopher's. They are tireless people who have worked time and again. They are section 39 workers who have probably been derided and punished for being section 39 workers for many years. They are on a payscale which dates back to 2021 and, even at that, their pay is significantly off the HSE scale. Unions announced at the end of July that the matter could only be resolved by a sustained campaign of industrial action. The situation has gone on for far too long. These staff, because of poor pay and heavy workloads, are becoming demoralised. They are looking at other job opportunities, particularly in the HSE. That is very unfortunate for the people of Longford because we greatly value St. Christopher's and we are very proud of it. We are also exceptionally proud and supportive of the staff. In addition, during the pandemic there was an expectation that the workers and day and night staff at St. Christopher's would qualify for the essential front-line staff €1,000 bonus. That has not happened. Understandably, it is a further bone of contention for staff. I have seen, first hand, the commitment, absolute passion and dedication of the section 39 staff at St. Christopher's. It is regrettable that they felt they had to take the decision to take strike action.

I have applauded the Minister's enthusiasm for this sector at every opportunity, and I know full well the immense work he is doing. There have been many notable achievements in his time in office to date. I ask him to redouble efforts to assist the workers at St. Christopher's and their colleagues across the country to ensure we reach an agreement on their pay dispute, and also address the long-outstanding Covid bonus payment for them.

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