Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
1035. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the steps she and her Department have taken to address grievances of staff at a facility (details supplied) in Coolock, which has seen them on indefinite strike since 16 January 2026; if she and her Department will liaise with the workers and their union to come to a satisfactory agreement around pay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5912/26]
View answerI would like to acknowledge the very important role that Health Care Assistants play in delivering home care services to older persons and persons with disabilities in our communities.
It is very disappointing that Health Care Assistants employed by this home care organisation felt they had to commence strike action in recent days.
It is important to note that the organisation not a public body. Terms and conditions are set by the organisations themselves. The terms and conditions of employment of their staff, once in line with employment legislation, is strictly between the employer and the employee.
I understand this dispute relates to terms and conditions which differ from those that staff in section 39, grant funded, organisations are benefitting from because of the WRC agreement reached between ICTU and relevant Government Departments in March last year.
This agreement was to fund Health and Social Care, and Homeless sector employers for a 9.25% increase, equivalent to the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026, and applied only to organisations funded under section 39, 56, 10 and 40 arrangements.
The organisation to which the Deputy refers are primarily funded through a tender arrangement for home care and, as such, are not encompassed within this agreement
The organisation is in receipt of a separate, smaller amount of grant funding under Section 39, in relation to a meals-on-wheels service they provide and workers within this service may be eligible. The HSE have reached out to the organisation in respect of this cohort.
I appreciate that workers and organisations not encompassed by the WRC Agreement may be disappointed. However, the agreement reached applies only those aforementioned, grant-funded organisations.
The maintenance of industrial peace is vital to safeguarding patient safety and ensuring the uninterrupted delivery of essential services, and I would strongly encourage the employer and its employees to engage with the State’s established industrial relations machinery to work towards a resolution.
