Intellectual disability service funding
Deputy Murnane O'Connor sought extra funding for intellectual disability services facing higher energy, transport and staffing costs. The Taoiseach said the issue was fair, that the Government would examine cost-of-living supports, and that pay disparities remained unresolved in part.
I raise with the Taoiseach the intellectual disability services. We have many services in Carlow for intellectual disabilities that are a fantastic service and resource. I have met with representatives of BEAM Services in Bagenalstown, the Delta Centre in Carlow and the Cairdeas Centre in Tullow. I am very worried because they are finding that the cost of living - heating, ESB and transport costs - means they need more funding. I ask that the Government provide extra funding for these service providers.
Will the Government see what it can do with regard to the pay disparities between section 38 and section 39 organisations, including in respect of maternity leave and sick leave?
Comment on this
As usual, the Deputy's feet are on the ground and she is engaged with the communities across her county. She raised a fair point in terms of cost-of-living issues for service providers, such as BEAM Services and the Cairdeas and Delta centres. In the context of a cost-of-living approach by the Government, we will examine what we can do for the sector.
We are aware of the issue of pay disparity.
There was a resolution of that some years back, or at least a partial resolution. Some of the bigger organisations like SIPTU had arrived at agreements with the Government but there are still obviously concerns in regard to the disparity between smaller organisations.