Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1629. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on the plea from persons with disabilities in relation to section 39 organisations providing services to people with disabilities, namely, that Government action is needed to bring the section 39 issue to resolution (details supplied). [37754/23]
View answerThere is currently no plan for a general review of the Health Act (2004).
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 and Section 56 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. There is currently multi annual funding provided for these organisations through Service Level agreements and Grant aid.
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.
DPENDR agreed that officials in DCEDIY/DOH could negotiate in good faith with the unions within the following parameters: Engaging with the unions representing Section 39 and Section 56 workers, through the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), with a view to providing additional funding to their employer organisations to address the staff recruitment and retention issues currently affecting the sustainable provision of front line services commissioned through these organisations. DPENDR agreed that officials have scope to negotiate within the parameters agreed in other sectors, including an increase in funding to these organisations of no greater than 5%.
Officials from the Department of Health, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the HSE and Tusla attended a voluntary WRC process on the 31st of July. This process culminated in an offer being made in line with equal offers accepted by staff in similar sectors. The offer to people working hard in this sector amounted to a 5% increase in funding for pay effective from November 2023 with 3% backdated to April 2023. Increases would be made available in 2023. This process culminated in an offer being made by the funders to the unions in line with similar offers that have been accepted by staff in related sectors. This offer was not accepted.
As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
