Pay row threatens disabled

THE dire prospect of some of the most vulnerable people in Irish society becoming victims of a pay row is extremely disturbing.

This grim scenario arises following yesterday’s vote for industrial action by nurses working with the intellectually disabled. It would be disastrous for the individuals and their families if demands for a rise of 2,000 in line with recent awards to house parents working in the area is allowed to fester.

In the current economic climate, there is a distinct risk the Irish Nurses Organisation and Government will paint themselves into in a corner.With Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy seeking massive cutbacks across a range of public services, fears are growing that the highly sensitive area of disability may be hit.