Carer service returning to normal, says union

The IMPACT trade union hopes that services provided by houseparents and assistant houseparents in the intellectual disability…

The IMPACT trade union hopes that services provided by houseparents and assistant houseparents in the intellectual disability sector will be back to normal by the end of today.

"I can't say for certain but by the end of today things should be back to normal. From reports that I have had from around the country, people are going back to work," Mr Bernard Harbor of IMPACT told ireland.com

The strike by houseparents and assistant houseparents in the intellectual disability sector was called off yesterday afternoon, after which, Mr Kevin Callinan, IMPACT’s national health secretary, urged members to return to work as soon as possible.

About 700 clients and their families had been affected by the action.

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IMPACT’s decision leaves the way open for the Labour Court to investigate the dispute and make recommendations on the issue.

“We’re working on a written submission and oral presentation to the Labour Court,” said Mr Harbor.

IMPACT will attend the Labour Court next Monday, having previously declined to take part in the talks.

Because of the delay in starting the talks, Mr Harbor said that it could be the end of next week or the start of the following week before the court makes recommendations on the issue.

SIPTU members are also involved in the negotiations, but they did not take any strike action pending the talks' outcome.

Pádraig Collins

Pádraig Collins

Pádraig Collins a contributor to The Irish Times based in Sydney