Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
562 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to address the high salary levels of the chief executives of charities who are in receipt of State funding from his Department. [13674/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it the Deputy is referring to the remuneration paid to the CEOs of voluntary disability agencies.
Disability services are provided directly by the HSE and by non-statutory disability providers funded under Sections 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004. Staff of voluntary agencies funded under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004 are considered public servants and are covered by the standard salary scales for the health sector. Some of the agencies receive grants from the HSE under Section 39 but their employees are not public servants and are not specifically subject to the payscales approved for public servants.
A recent review by the Health Service Executive has found some anomalies in the salary scales being paid in a number of the Section 38 public service voluntary agencies. The HSE review found such anomalies across a number of grades of staff and it also included a small number of CEOs. These issues are being followed up by the HSE. My Department has also asked the HSE to review other payments, including allowances.
Both my colleague Minister Reilly and myself are concerned to ensure that the State receives value for all monies invested in public services on behalf of the taxpayer. In the context of the current Value for Money Review of Disability Services we are seeking to work with all providers, whether funded under Sections 38 or 39 of the Health Act 2004, to further improve processes of accountability in the sector, with a view to achieving the most cost efficient and effective delivery of services for people with a disability.
563 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the charities he funds for the provision of services and the amount of money these groups received in 2011. [13675/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary fund from which grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. The funding made available in 2011 including a list of each body in receipt of funding is set out on my Department's website —www.doh.ie. The total amount paid in 2011 was €3.286m.
The HSE also provides funding to a large number of voluntary organisations, some of which would have charitable status. Details of all the organisations funded by the HSE are set out in its Annual Financial Statements, which are available at www.hse.ie.
