Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is the Deputy's view and their view. Here is my view: this Government, which I am proud to lead, very much respects and values the work carried out by these workers. The Deputy is right that there are many aspects of our public services, including health and social services, that rely on people who have been traditionally outside the public sector. We are the better for it as a country. Indeed, many of our services working with some of the most vulnerable in society are reliant on those individuals. They provide services that all of us, as constituency Deputies, know of in our communities and very much value.

This Government has done significant work over a sustained period to try to improve, regularise and come to agreement on a variety of issues within the spectrum of matters the Deputy raised. The hospice movement is one example. Transferring it from section 39 to section 38 was a big body of work but it has shown real good faith on the part of Government and will make a big difference to both the staff there and to the sustainability of those services into the future.

Regarding some of the specific issues the Deputy raised, an 8% pay increase was agreed in October 2024 on the eve of strike action. I was pleased that was agreed. A lot of hard work was done by many, including the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman. My understanding is that Tusla has provided those payments and that the HSE is in the process of finalising those arrangements. The Minister for Health and I will seek an update for the Deputy for the people from the HSE who have contacted her about where that is. Following the new public sector pay deal, there will be engagement with both the section 39 and section 56 organisations on further pay issues that arise from that pay deal. I would like to think we are in a better space as a result of the agreement that was reached last October and as a result of the public sector pay deal and the engagement that will flow from that. If the Deputy wants to send me specifics, I am happy to come back on them as well.

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