Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022

Thursday, 8 September 2022

Questions (1577)

John McGuinness

Question:

1577. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the action he has or is taking to bridge the wage gap between section 38-39 organisations; if any new pay agreement will be index linked; if the reasonable requests being made by section 39s have been costed; if so, if he will outline these costs; if he has presented a business plan to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; if so, if the Department has responded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42283/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector.  They have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.

Under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE provides assistance to organisations that provide services similar or ancillary to a service that the HSE may provide. However, Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between the employer and the employee.