Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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1887. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she plans to introduce pay parity between section 38 and section 39 workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44848/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recognise the essential work carried out by staff in community and voluntary health and social care organisations, and the reliance of the State on these organisations to deliver supports and services.

The agreement reached in March between Government Departments and unions, acknowledges that staff in section 39 funded organisations should be fairly paid for the vital work they do.

The agreement includes a 9.25% pay increase for up to 40,000 workers, equivalent to the Public Sector Pay agreement 2024-2026. In a landmark step by this Government, the agreement also includes an automatic link for these workers to the general round increases in future public sector pay agreements. This will assist to protect the significant progress that has been made on pay in these sectors since 2023.

The agreement was met with overwhelming support, being approved by 87 per cent of Siptu members and 86 per cent of Fórsa members.

The parity of treatment provided for in this agreement is an important step forward for workers. In funding terms, the deal amounts to an estimated increase of €70m per annum for the community and voluntary organisations delivering specialist disability services and supports.

The offer is backdated to start from October 2024 with implementation over a two-year period to October 2026, by which point a successor to the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026 is anticipated.

Taken with the October 2023 Agreement of an 8% increase, this amounts to a 17.25% pay funding increase over a 3½ year period.

As part of the agreement comprehensive data gathering exercise will be undertaken on the pay and funding arrangements in the sector, to progress pay issues that affect the delivery of services and the long-term viability of organisations. The parties agreed that this exercise is crucial in order to create a shared understanding of the sector, particularly in regard to low pay.