The Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection has recommended that workers should be allowed defer their pension until they reach 75, to allow them make more PRSI contributions. Dr Laura Bambrick is head of social policy and employment affairs at the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU).

A planned strike by 5,000 workers in the care sector that was due to start today was called off following overnight talks between trade unions and government representatives.  These workers are employed by care organisations which receive funding from the State. These workers are seeking pay parity with staff directly employed by the HSE who do similar jobs. Jerry spoke to Kathleen Healy, whose daughter Bríd Óg attends Kerry Parents and Friends; Bríd Óg has additional needs. He also spoke to Donie Doody of SIPTU who represents over 260 staff working for Cheshire Ireland and Kerry Parents and Friends. These are Section 39 staff who work in the health and disability services.

Workers are striking outside Enable Ireland’s office in Tralee today in a dispute over pay. The strike is part of the the Valuing Care, Valuing Community campaign, which is supported by SIPTU, Fórsa, the Irish Nurses’ and Midwives’ Organisation, and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. Enable Ireland says the campaign is to achieve pay parity with HSE employees, as its workers do similar work to colleagues in the HSE and other voluntary agencies. Enable Ireland and other care organisations affected by the nationwide protest employ the staff who are protesting. However, it is the Government that provides the funding to the care organisations so they can pay the staff. Jerry speaks to Niall Shanahan of the Fórsa trade union.