Tipperary TD and Enable Ireland in call for talks to avoid industrial action by staff

Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill has spoken out in support of Section 39 workers and called for pay-parity for the sector.

The Fianna Fáil TD has urged the relevant Ministers in the Department to act immediately to restore pay-parity and avert hugely disruptive industrial action which is due to commence tomorrow.

“S39 workers deserve equal treatment and pay-parity. The work they do in our communities for those who need it most is clear and will really come into focus in the coming weeks if industrial action is not averted.

“Thousands of individuals and families will face significant hardship over the coming weeks if talks are not successful over the coming days. I am calling on the Minister to intervene and ensure that pay-parity is restored for these vital workers in our communities.

“It is essential that the vital work that S39 workers do is recognised and that they receive the appropriate renumeration for the work they do. This dispute has been going on too long now and must be fairly resolved," he said.

Meanwhile, Enable Ireland, which has a number of centres in Tipperary, said in a statement this Monday that following the notice of industrial action by Fórsa, SIPTU and INMO members at Enable Ireland locations nationwide, they anticipate that there will be substantial disruption to Enable Ireland services, including the closure of many services, from this Tuesday onwards and to continue indefinitely.

For many years, Enable Ireland had advocated for a return to pay parity and alignment for our staff and they fully support staff demands for equal pay with HSE and Section 38 staff, the service said in a statement.

"While we support the requested pay increase, we are not in a position to fund it directly. As of October 1, the pay parity gap in Enable Ireland is currently costed at €5.7m per annum.  Enable Ireland do not have the funding to pay for this," they said.

"We are calling on the Government to urgently intervene in this dispute and provide the funding required for equal pay now and in the future for Enable Ireland staff."

They said that they were very aware of how difficult this situation was for the thousands of families and individuals who rely on their services.

"Our valued employees are essential to deliver these critical services to children and adults and their families.  This pay inequity has created a recruitment and retention crisis for Enable Ireland’s services resulting in significant vacancies in our services for children and adult. High vacancy and staff turnover rates negatively impact the quality and quantity of services we can offer to children, adults and their families. Unless it is resolved, this issue will continue to impact the long-term sustainability of Enable Ireland," they said.