The programme for Government rightly lauds the important work local drugs task forces do, but nowhere does it mention giving a pay rise to section 39 workers, who have not seen an increase in more than ten years, or address the cuts over that period. Does the Government intend to rectify this and stop the flood of fully qualified addiction counsellors and other personnel moving to the private sector? The issue is outstanding and this needs to be dealt with. They carry out really important work in our communities. We need to back that up by paying the right amount for the jobs they do.

That is a matter for the Minister for Health to determine from his budget. It is something that can arise in the next couple of weeks, once the Estimates are approved by the House. As the Deputy will know, section 39 staff are not public servants, so they are not tied to public sector pay scales, but it is possible for the Government to give section 39 organisations additional funding, which they can then use to fund pay increases or align pay scales with those in the State sector. As I said, that is something the Minister for Health will have to answer.

It has been ten years. It is unacceptable.