The Joint Committee on Disability Matters met in private today and called on all of Government to deal with the impending and indefinite strike action, by health and community workers nationwide.

I along with my colleagues in the Joint Committee on Disability Matters has today, Monday October 16th, met in private to discuss the impending and indefinite strike action from tomorrow October 17th, which will involve health and community workers nationwide, bringing essential disability services to a halt.
The Committee has heard directly from people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities who are extremely concerned about the impossible situation that the loss of these essential services will place them in.
The Committee are hugely disappointed with regard the progress and action in dealing with the crisis in recruitment and retention in the disability services sector, considering notice of this strike issued on September 25th, 2023.
In February 2023, the Committee published its report on Aligning Disability Services with the UNCRPD and called on the Government to undertake crisis talks on national measures to support the development of recruitment and retention of staff in Disability Services.
At its private meeting today, the Committee were in unanimous agreement to again call on All of Government to undertake urgent action in Section 39 strike and to engage in meaningful consultation with the relevant stakeholders to resolve the issue and ensure the continuation of these vital services.
The Committee has contacted the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to request an urgent public meeting to discuss the seriousness of the situation.