About 700 people with intellectual disabilities were sent home yesterday as a result of the strike by IMPACT house parents seeking pay parity with childcare staff.
Another 2,300 people with intellectual disabilities remained in care because SIPTU members deferred their action to attend tomorrow's hearing at the Labour Court.
The areas worst affected are Dublin and Galway. Least affected are the southern, midland and south-eastern health board regions.The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, strongly criticised IMPACT yesterday, saying there was "absolutely no reason for a strike" when the Labour Court had offered a "full invitation" to the union for a hearing tomorrow. He insisted the pay claim had to be dealt with through the Public Service Benchmarking Body.
Mr Kevin Callinan, IMPACT's national health secretary, said his members will remain on strike until the Government and health service employers concede the increases, worth up to €172 a week, which, he insists, were agreed in principle ten months ago. Childcare workers currently earn between €27,710 and €42,361 while house parents now on strike earn between €23,317 and €33,340.
SIPTU and the Health Service Employers' Agency (HSEA) are attending the Labour Court hearing tomorrow and a quick finding is expected. If the recommendation meets most of the unions' demands the dispute could be settled quickly, otherwise the IMPACT strike could become protracted. SIPTU has warned that it will also take action if the court's intervention fails.
Minister says no reason for strike; Fears over increase in medical risks: page 5
Editorial comment: page 15