Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House.

It is often the case that the nature of a person's job changes over time and a re-evaluation process may be required to ensure fair remuneration and conditions for staff. Such an evaluation has been carried out in the health sector recently. However, while most workers received a recommendation of higher grades, it appears that some categories of employee were completely ignored. Those not recommended for any upgrade include cleaners, laundry workers, domestics, groundsmen and gardeners. Naturally, these staff feel they have been ignored by the process and are asking why. The evaluation was a joint exercise between the union and the employer using a pre-established formula from early phases. A report, including costs, was recently submitted to the Department of Health for review.It is now with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform awaiting sanction. None of the recommendations has been implemented to date as we await a response from the Department. As I outlined, the evaluation of support-staff grades was conducted and housekeeping-domestic staff were the only department not to move up a band. These staff are deeply disappointed by this decision. They feel undervalued and taken for granted and can see no logical explanation for this decision. They are disillusioned with the union, the communications process and the way the evaluation was completed and are now considering industrial action. They feel the whole job-evaluation process was flawed and ask the HSE to take immediate action to rectify the situation.

Hospitals cannot be run without housekeeping and domestic staff. They are vital members of the hospital team. They are a vital cog in the wheel who do difficult and demanding work. They worked through the pandemic in difficult circumstances and they are essential staff that simply cannot be done without. It would be deeply disappointing and disruptive to the hospital system if they felt the need to strike. I ask the Minister intervene on behalf of the hardworking and dedicated people affected by this.