It’s time for the Government to take its  head out of the sand and restore the pay of people working in Section 39 organisations – that’s according to Mayo Fianna Fail TD Dara Calleary.

Siptu members working in these organisations – including Western Care, Ability West and Rehab- have voted for strike action on St Valentine’s Day in the row over pay restoration, and are warning of further industrial action after that date, unless the issue is resolved.

The Oireachtas Health Committee will meet this morning to discuss the issue.

Fianna Fail has been calling for the restoration of Section 39 workers’ pay for some time, and Deputy Dara Calleary brought forward a Dáil debate on the matter earlier this month.

However, he says that – despite promises from Government -the process has not yet been put in place to restore pay to people who provide vital health services to local communities…