Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I raise an issue today that not only affects Country Limerick but every town, village and county in this country, and that is the pay disparity between section 39 workers and HSE workers, which is putting a massive rift between them. It can be very disheartening for those in the sector working on section 39 contracts when they are working beside someone on better pay, better conditions, better holidays and better service. SIPTU has balloted for strike action at the end of this month. This not only affects the workers; they also have a retention and recruitment issue that, in turn, will affect the care given because we will not be able to recruit. The Government needs to do everything within its power to stop this from happening, stop this strike from going ahead, reach an agreement and try to get these section 39 employees onto HSE contracts.