Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the second part of Deputy Boyd Barrett's question, on section 39 workers, I agree that these individuals do incredibly important work in our health, disability and social care services. I also agree that we need to address the issue of pay with urgency. That is why, this week, my Cabinet colleagues, the Minister, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton, updated the Cabinet on this matter. The next step is to get people back into the WRC. I want workers to know talks are scheduled to resume on Monday, 3 March. I want to see them brought to a successful conclusion because it is absolutely in the interests of workers, as articulately put forward by Charlotte, but it is also in the interests of service users. These are people with a disability and we need to make sure we can properly staff these organisations. The Government is fully committed to making progress on this.

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