Enable Ireland Welcomes Suspension of Industrial Action and Seeks Further Detail and Assurances on Pay Proposal For Section 39 Staff.

Press Release                                                                                   17 October 2023

Enable Ireland issues the following statement following WRC proposal with Fórsa, SIPTU and INMO and Government:

“On behalf of parents, service user and owners, and our staff, we are relieved that the industrial action planned to begin today and last indefinitely has been suspended pending the outcome of an industrial ballot. It would have resulted in significant disruption to our essential services across the country including our respite and residential services, clinical and therapy services, adult day services, family support services and community living services.

We thank families, service users and owners for their support over the last few weeks and we acknowledge the many individuals who shared their stories of care in support of equal pay for Enable Ireland staff.

We welcome the fact that Government has acknowledged the need for sustainable funding in our sector. While we do not have the full details of the proposal made we will carefully review what has been shared so far.

A key issue for us as an employer is that the full cost of services provided is funded as part of any agreement including associated pension and employer PRSI costs for every post. Without agreement to fund the full cost of services provided by staff in these roles, pay equality for Section 39 staff will not be achieved.

In addition, while we welcome the commitment from Government to continue meaningful talks for re-aligning Section 39 staff pay rates with that of their HSE counterparts, we ask Government to provide further detail and solid assurances about a path to equal pay for Section 39 workers with their HSE and Section 38 colleagues.

We call on both the trade unions and Government to provide further clarity on these significant issues before a ballot is held with union members.”