Staff in hospices and disability support services should have their pay restored, following cuts by previous Governments – that’s according to Mayo TD Dara Calleary.

The Fianna Fail deputy is leading a debate in the Dail this afternoon on the issue of workers in Section 39 organisations.

These organisations operate on a voluntary basis, and include many hospices and disability support services –including Western Care, the Irish Wheelchair Association and Rehab here in Mayo.

Deputy Calleary says funding has been cut be previous Governments, which led to frontline staff being hit with significant pay reductions, and he’s calling on the present Government to restore their pay in line with public sector workers.