Written answers

Wednesday, 18 October 2023

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Disability Services

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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226. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to bring the Section 39 workers up to pay parity with the Section 38 workers (details supplied). [45410/23]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The sustainability and stability of health and social care sectors and the impact of industrial action on essential services is a concern for Government.

Following intensive talks under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), parties to the process, including the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Health, reached a pay agreement with Unions representing Section 39, Section 56 and Section 10 organisations.

The agreement, which unions have indicated will be put to their members, proposes an 8% increase in pay over three phases:

  • An increase of 3% from April 1st 2023
  • An increase of 2% from 1st November 2023
  • An increase of 3% from March 2024.
In addition, agreement was reached to commence a process to consider appropriate further funding increases, having regard to Building Momentum and any successor public sector pay agreement.

The Government is committed to the expansion of services for people with disabilities. The Disability Action Plan was approved by Government in July of this year and is currently being prepared for publication. It aims to progressively address unmet need by enhancing and reforming services.

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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227. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of providing twenty additional emergency residential places for persons with a disability. [45414/23]

Photo of Anne RabbitteAnne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.

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