Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today I would like to raise two matters, the first being respite services and the second being the rail strike. With regard to respite services, there are over 360,000 people who act as carers. They have been very badly affected by funding cuts and staff shortages. The result is that many carers are often left in a position in which they have no time off, which is having a negative impact on their physical and mental health. The report by Family Carers Ireland reveals that the lack of support, including the reduction in respite services, was leaving many carers struggling. In June of this year, our colleague, Senator Colm Burke, said the crisis in respite care will worsen if people live longer and as carers age. Lack of respite was, as he said, an accruing problem that will not go away.

HIQA inspections have resulted to date in respite centres closing down as they are not fit for purpose. No alternatives have been offered by this Government to these families, who really appreciate these vital services. The Taoiseach has spoken about giving back in the budget and I hope that some of the most vulnerable, the home carers, will be acknowledged and that their incredible hard work will be recognised through increased funding for respite care. Home carers take a large amount of pressure off the HSE and this should really be recognised by the Government. I ask the Minister for Health and the Taoiseach to come to this House to outline exactly what they intend to do to meet the needs of those who use respite services.

We all know the pay negotiations between Irish Rail staff collapsed at the WRC and that rail strikes look like they are coming down the tracks. Strikes could begin as soon as the October bank holiday weekend and this, as we know, will cause serious disruption over the coming weeks. The two main drivers' unions are seeking pay increases of 3.75% without any associated productivity measures, and this is in line with the pay increase given to Dublin Bus workers, which seems fair enough. It is understood that the workers were offered an increase of 1.5%, accompanied by 19 different measures, including the outsourcing of work, loss of contracted hours, relocation of staff, closure of booking offices, and new performance management systems.

Mr. Dermot O'Leary, one of the chief negotiators, said that unless the staff get a credible offer, they want to see a ballot paper. This issue has been coming down the line for a long time and it is incumbent on the Minister, Deputy Shane Ross, to address it. He has sat and done nothing for too long, and I do not believe it is credible for him not to intervene at all in this industrial relations disaster. I call on the Minister to come to the House to explain exactly what he is doing to address this matter as doing nothing is not an option.