Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is aware that staff working in Section 39 and Section 56 funded organisations have been employed using a multiplicity of terms and conditions, including different rates of remuneration, with the organisations largely dependent on the State for funding.

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

The Departments proactively engaged with this voluntary process to ensure the stability and sustainability of services for the benefit of those who rely on these essential services and the workers who are committed to providing quality services.

The agreement, which unions indicated would be recommended to their members, proposes an 8% increase in funding for 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, the Department committed to further talks after any future public sector agreement.

Most importantly, this agreement resulted in the postponement of planned industrial action by staff working in these organisations and the outcome of the union ballots is awaited.