Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

605. To ask the Minister for Health if any plans are being made to address the fact that staff in an organisation (details supplied) have not had a pay rise for fourteen years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22394/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. Staff working in the Irish Wheelchair Association have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities across the country.

A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022.

While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.

Exploratory discussions in relation to pay rises for Community and Voluntary organisations are currently underway under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission.

It is important to note that this is a cross-sectoral issue and cannot be taken in isolation.