Section 39 workers are some of the hardest workers in our society. Their work in the health and social care system involves providing round the clock care and support to people with complex medical needs, protects the most vulnerable and gives them complete dignity yet they are treated as second-class workers. They are doing the same work as HSE colleagues but are often lower paid, have weaker conditions and are outside the pay restoration grants to public servants. As a result, predictably, there is a high turnover and a revolving door when it comes to people working in nursing homes and those type of settings. Let us be honest;: those who stay do so out of dedication and professionalism and not because the system treats them fairly. My question is quite simple. Would the Taoiseach work for such pay and conditions and if not, why does his Government continue to allow this? Will he commit to a clear timeline for pay parity and fair treatment of section 39 workers to provide the services that are so dearly needed in this country?

We have made good progress on these issues over the past number of years in respect of section 39 in terms of the application and subsequent negotiation in the context of the public pay agreements. Some organisations have been moved out of section 39, particularly hospices, to achieve the pay parity mentioned by the Deputy. It is a very big area with many organisations, some big, some small, so it is complex enough. It is not simple. We have a process in terms of pay determination for section 39 that is much better than what was there in previous years.