Joanne Collins (Sinn Fein)

I want to bring up an issue regarding section 39 workers. After a long and difficult process, an agreement was reached at the Workplace Relations Commission to improve these workers' pay. They are vital front-line workers involved with disability and home care. The question remains as to when the Government will enact and recognise the agreement. In November 2023, there was a WRC agreement put in place which was never enacted. Furthermore, the section 39 workers face structural inequalities, particularly in relation to pay parity, compared to their counterparts who are directly employed by the State. When will the Government take the necessary steps to finally deliver full pay parity and when can the workers expect it to be enacted in practice, not just in principle?