Home support workers to protest against cutbacks

Home support workers and home care attendants will stage a protest at the HSE offices in Dundalk this afternoon.

The demonstration is part of the SIPTU 'Time to Care' campaign, which is calling for a restoration of hours which were cut from Home Support Services to the elderly and disabled.

SIPTU is also seeking proper contracts of employment for those working in the sector.

Lead organiser at the trade union, Miriam Hamilton, said the workers and their clients, deserve to be respected.

"These workers provide a valuable service but they're somewhat hidden in the community because they go directly to people's homes and sometimes it's easy to forget about the great work they do and the service they provide," she said.

"So this is their opportunity to very visibly and vocally come out to the streets to say that neither they or their clients deserve the disrespect of these constant cutbacks."