I am asking that the Taoiseach make every effort to ensure staff at the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities are awarded their pay claims as recommended by the Labour Court last January, where it was recommended that management in the national advocacy service would make a case to the Department for the funding required to provide their pay increases. However, five months later there is no progress and staff have no option but to strike because there has been no increase in staff salaries and cost-of-living payments since 2010, which is 14 years ago. That strike is scheduled to take place tomorrow. Staff at this service provide assistance to people with disabilities all over the country to interact and interface with the various State agencies. If they strike tomorrow, all those who rely on their services will be cut adrift. Finally, if a Department-funded agency is refusing to implement Labour Court recommendations, how can we expect other employers to honour Labour Court rulings?

I thank Deputy Harkin for raising this important matter. I am advised by the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, that she understands that the national advocacy service submitted a business case to the Citizens Information Board in relation to pay grades and other conditions on 10 May last on foot of that Labour Court recommendation. My understanding is that, as part of these considerations, the Citizens Information Board held a meeting with the advocacy service, along with Kevin Duffy, former chairman of the Labour Court, on 30 May. This discussed a path forward to resolve the issues. I believe the CIB wrote to the national advocacy service in the last week to follow up and there have been ongoing discussions involving all parties. I would encourage all parties to engage fully and positively in the process. Therefore, I would hope that while there is a process ongoing, industrial action should not proceed.