Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government commits the Government to work with the voluntary sector through industrial relations mechanisms and other processes to progress pay issues that affect the delivery of disability services and the long-term viability of organisations within the sector. We know that SIPTU is due to begin a ballot for strike action by up to 5,000 members working across 21 section 39 organisations. I raised this matter with the former Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte, last October, a year on from the pay agreement being reached at the Workplace Relations Commission and the Government's commitment to honour that, but nothing has happened in the meantime. We saw the treatment of section 39 workers take centre stage during the election campaign, thanks to Charlotte Fallon challenging the Tánaiste on the matter. At the time, he committed to prioritising the issue. Were those hollow words? What has been done in the meantime? Will the Government engage directly with the unions to urgently avert strike action?

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