Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, we will provide that mandate. Deputy Kerrane is right to highlight this issue. These health and social care workers and others carry out an invaluable service. Our health, social care and disability services are so reliant on it. I would point out that we have made several advanced steps on this issue, including the October 2023 agreement the Deputy referenced. State agencies have worked with service providers to administer the associated pay funding adjustments. The Government offered a further 8.5% increase in funding for pay. Added to the increase in October 2023, it would have provided a minimum increase of 16.5% in pay funding over a period of three-and-a-half-year if agreement had been possible. Ministers will now be seeking an early opportunity to restart engagement with unions and employers through the Workplace Relations Commission to provide certainty and progress to the sector as soon as possible.

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