Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 October 2017
200. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to examine the pay inequality that arises when public sector employees receive pay increases while employees section 39 organisations, such as an organisation (details supplied), remain on the same pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45555/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE has in place Service Level Agreements with voluntary providers which set out the level of service to be provided for the grant to the individual organisation. Any individuals employed by these section 39 organisations are not HSE employees, therefore neither the HSE nor the Minister have a role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff.
The staff of these Section 39 organisations are not public servants and therefore were not subject to the FEMPI legislation which imposed pay reductions. It follows then that the staff of the section 39 bodies will not be eligible for any pay restoration which is provided for under the more recent Public Service Agreements. It is a matter for Section 39 organisations to negotiate salaries with their staff as part of their employment relationship and within the overall funding available for the delivery of agreed services.
