TD claims Government health funding does not allow for pay rises for non-HSE workers

“Government Policy responsible for possible strike action in health and social care services,” says Brid Smith TD

People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith, has said that Government policy is directly responsible for a possible strike of over 8,000 staff in the health and social care service which could cause severe disruption to a system already at breaking point.

The TD had asked a number of Dáil questions of the Minister for Health over the funding for so-called section 39 organisations.  Staff in these organisations may be taking strike action as, unlike direct HSE employees, they will not receive any pay restoration under recent pay deals and legislation.

Deputy Smith said the Minister’s replies to her questions were unacceptable.

She said, “It is not good enough to say these workers are not covered by the recent deal and therefore it’s got nothing to do with him. They work for organisations that rely on Government funding, they took the same cuts in pay and conditions during the recession as public sector workers, therefore the level of Government funding  going to these services will dictate what their pay will be.”

The Government claims that this dispute has nothing to do with them echoes their attitude to recent transport strikes said Deputy Smith.

The TD said she fully supported the workers’ claims. “Many suffered the exact same cuts during the recession as public sector workers. Those cuts should be reversed now. We know that many of the most vulnerable in our society depend on the services provided by these workers, we must treat them with dignity and respect if we are serious about caring for those in the health and social care sector.”

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Contact- Bríd Smith TD- 087 909 0166

Nick Lee (Press Officer)- 087 615 6473