Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise the issue of the striking workers in the national advocacy service. I know a number of colleagues raised it yesterday but I am not sure the reply the Taoiseach gave reflects the true situation. The WRC recommendations said that SIPTU, which is acting on behalf of the NAS, had a well-made case and that a business case should be submitted to the Citizens Information Board and the Department of Social Protection. These recommendations have not been honoured by either. Last week, the independent chairperson, Kevin Duffy, made a proposal and this was accepted by the union but rejected by the Department and the Citizens Information Board. The NAS was told to go to the Labour Court, a Government-funded organisation with a Government-appointed chair. That court made a recommendation but a Government Department is refusing to accept it. This group of workers has had no pay increase in 14 years. They do vital work on behalf of very vulnerable citizens. If the Government does not ensure that these workers are sufficiently paid for the work they do in representing vulnerable people, it will be in contravention of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

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