IMPACT has said that the existing statutory funding structures – for organisations delivering care services in the community and voluntary sector – lack credibility and are out of date.

IMPACT said that state funding for these organisations, known as ‘Section 39’ funded agencies, need to be restored in order to ensure the sustainability of care services to people who are homeless, older people in care, people with disabilities, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those dealing with drug and addiction issues. The union also said that the terms and conditions of staff in Section 39 agencies should be moved onto terms comparable with their public service counterparts.

IMPACT members at Dublin Fire Brigade have commenced a ballot for industrial action over what they describe as management’s ongoing failure to maintain the number of firefighters sufficient to ensure their safety.

It’s estimated that Dublin Fire Brigade is currently 70 firefighters below the full complement of 963, with upcoming retirements expected to create a deficit of 120 firefighters by June 2016. IMPACT and Siptu have said that many firefighters are working unsustainable levels of overtime because of the current staff shortage. Siptu members have served notice of industrial action on the same issue, which is due to commence on Monday 5th October.

LRC proposals issued last week have introduced an increment-based pay model at Irish Water on a temporary basis. Pay-related awards (PRAs) were suspended by Irish Water last year following a much publicised controversy that the pay model amounted to a ‘bonus culture’ at the water utility.

In its latest Quarterly Economic Observer the Nevin Economic Research Institute (NERI) has said the best way to sustain Ireland’s growth in productivity over the long-term is to invest in education and skills, infrastructure and new technologies.

IMPACT has served notice of limited industrial action by laboratory aides on the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) in a dispute over the implementation of a binding Labour Court recommendation. The recommendation was made under the dispute resolution provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement.