Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge the ambition and achievement in the sector and I recognise the amount of money that has been invested, but retention is very important in circumstances where one in four workers in the disability sector will leave the job within a given year. This is three times the average of other sectors. It is important to invest in this and put in place measures beyond just money to encourage people to stay in the sector. We know the factors involved: a lack of permanent positions; there can be better terms and conditions in other sectors; and the burnout of staff. All of these impact on the availability of staff, who do incredibly important work and provide much more value than the salaries they are paid would suggest. Are there measures in the Department that can come at this from more than a financial angle and put in place measures to encourage people to stay in these positions?

See this speech in context