Irish Wheelchair Association calls on Governement for pay resolution

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) has called on the Governement to implement plans to resolve the pay disparity betwen IWA workers and HSE staff.

In October 2023 an agreement was reached at Workplace Relations Commission with a view to returning to negotiations to achieve pay parity with HSE grades for similar roles.

The renewed call comes after talks between government, union and disability sector representatives failed to come to a resolution yesterday with government representatives advising unions they had “no mandate to address the issue of pay parity.”

Thousands of people with disabilities across Ireland rely on IWA’s vital services and have repeatedly come out in support of their personal assistants’ calls for pay parity.

“I call for pay parity because we can’t live without IWA staff. They are vital to our lives, and they do an amazing job," said Alan Fay, a wheelchair user person who requires IWA support.

The failure to resolve pay issues is undermining the critical services that IWA, and the wider disability sector, delivers on behalf of the HSE.

“Our employees support people with disabilities to live independently in their communities and go above and beyond the call of duty. The reality is that these same dedicated people are also feeling the pressures of the cost of living increases.

"The Government made promises over a year ago to have meaningful engagement with the sector around pay parity and they need to deliver on their promises. This issue can’t wait any longer to be resolved, people are suffering due to the inaction,” said Ms O’Grady.

IWA note that "the significant disparity in pay rates with those doing the same work within the HSE is feeding the recruitment and retention crisis in the Disability Healthcare sector, and ultimately it is the country's most vulnerable people who suffer as a result".

With just a couple of days to go until polling day, the IWA is calling on those in power to take action and prove that they are focused on disability and care about people.