An Independent TD has warned that “frustration and anger” is mounting among HSE contracted home help staff in Clonakilty, who are now prepared to engage in strike action in the new year.
Deputy Michael Collins raised the matter in the Dáil with Minister of State at the Department of Health, Mary Butler.
Following Deputy Collins intervention on the matter, Minister Butler confirmed to him that the tender process for a renewed HSE contract for home help staff which was due to be in place by 1 January 2023, is being delayed until at least March 2023:
“There is significant levels of frustration among the home help providers I spoke to recently in Clonakilty and it is reaching breaking point,” said Deputy Collins.
“These are providers who work long difficult hours for a relatively poor level of pay and within a system that at the regulatory level is failing to protect their interests.”
“The last thing they want to do is strike or remove their services, but they feel backed into a corner and see this as the option of last resort.”
“I am deeply concerned at the revelation from Minister Butler that the new HSE tender which was supposed to improve working conditions is being delayed. This will only make strike action more probable in the new year.”
“The Minister, the HSE and the government must come together to escalate and prioritise the delivery of this new contract and they must work to urgently address the concerns being raised by the Clonakilty staff,” Deputy Collins concluded.