Louth TD says Section 39 healthcare workers put 'through the ringer again'

The government need to "get real" and sort out the pay issue with Section 39 workers, who have overwhelmingly voted for strike action, Sinn Féin’s disability spokesperson, Louth TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has said.

The Louth deputy was speaking after it was announced that SIPTU members working in Section 39 organisations, which are privately owned charities and agencies contracted by the State to provide healthcare services, voted for industrial action.

Deputy Ó Murchú, who raised the issue with Tánaiste Simon Harris in Leinster House, said the government was "putting these workers through the ringer again" by "leaving them with no option but to ballot for strike".

He said: "When this government was formed, they put the emphasis on disability services and providing for those with disabilities. But when it comes to putting their money where their mouth is, they have been found wanting, again. It’s time for the government to get real.

"The SIPTU members of the Section 39 organisations felt they had no choice, despite their extensive efforts, but to ballot the workers, who have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action. Sinn Féin supports them in that."

Deputy Ó Murchú continued, "I have been speaking to those in Section 39 organisations and they are also very worried about the implementation of the HSE’s Pay and Numbers Strategy in the disability sector which has already lead to post suppression and service loss across the health service.

"These workers in the disability sector are among the hardest-working and most dedicated healthcare professionals in the State. The government has created the situation where there is huge reliance on these workers, particularly for the delivery of disability care and services, but are refusing to pay them what their counterparts in the public sector are getting. The pay gap is significant, at 15% or more."

The Louth TD added, "it’s not much to ask – equal pay for equal work – but government has not followed through on that. The government now has an opportunity, before the action takes place next week, to sort this out and should focus all their power on ensuring that this situation is rectified speedily and for good so that workers do not have to take this step and those with disabilities are not adversely affected."