119. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding any initiatives or research her Department proposes to attract and retain staff in the disability sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7383/25]

Sentiment score: 0.13

Déanaim comhghairdeas leis an Aire agus leis an Aire Stáit. Go n-éirí leo sna poist nua. Is í an cheist atá agam anocht ná seo: cad iad na tionscnaimh atá i bhfeidhm sa Roinn chun foireann agus oibrithe a mhealladh agus a choimeád san earnáil mhíchumais? What initiatives and research does the Department propose to attract and retain staff in the disability sector?

Sentiment score: 0.09

I thank the Minister of State. I acknowledge the ambition and achievement in the sector and I recognise the amount of money that has been invested, but retention is very important in circumstances where one in four workers in the disability sector will leave the job within a given year. This is three times the average of other sectors. It is important to invest in this and put in place measures beyond just money to encourage people to stay in the sector. We know the factors involved: a lack of permanent positions; there can be better terms and conditions in other sectors; and the burnout of staff. All of these impact on the availability of staff, who do incredibly important work and provide much more value than the salaries they are paid would suggest. Are there measures in the Department that can come at this from more than a financial angle and put in place measures to encourage people to stay in these positions?

Sentiment score: 0.37

I acknowledge the programmes the Minister of State mentioned. I welcome the appointment of the assistant national director and I look forward to the strategy that will be published this year. We can all agree that the retention of staff in the sector is something that has more than just a financial impact. People who work in the disabilities sector do an incredibly difficult job. It calls on them in a vocational way to deal with challenges that most of us do not have to deal with in our daily lives. A job done well by people in this sector is something that has a large return for society. Retained staff retain the institutional knowledge, experience and expertise that come with it while also providing a continuity of service for the people they are serving in the sector. It is important for us to put in place specific measures to create positivity around the work they are doing, acknowledge it, and ensure there is a way they will want to stay in the jobs and continue to provide the valuable service that they do.

Sentiment score: 0.21