Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1233. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to review the Health Act 2004 to assess the nature of services provided by Section 39 organisations; his plans to ensure a multi-annual, sustainable funding model for Section 39 organisations; his plans to address the pay disparity between Section 39 organisations and their HSE and Section 38 counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28072/23]
View answer1242. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he has plans to establish a formal agreement to address the following: the pay disparity of Section 39 organisations; a multi-annual, sustainable funding model for voluntary organisations; a review of the out-of-date Health Act 2004, which does not reflect the reality and essential nature of services provided by Section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28132/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1233 and 1242 together.
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.
A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022. While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
On 17 April, officials from the Department of Health, the HSE, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and Tusla met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. This engagement sought to understand and explore the scope of the unions' claim for pay rises for Community and Voluntary sector workers. A follow up engagement took place at the Workplace Relations Commission on 15 May. A further engagement is due to take place at the WRC in the coming weeks. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
The Department notes that this is a cross-sectoral issue and cannot be taken in isolation.
