Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
272. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if salaries of Section 39 organisations are paid by the State/his Department; if so, how many organisations have this in place; how this is determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23417/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 39 organisations are not public bodies. They are privately operated, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
Although not the employer, the Department of Health does provide funding to those Section 39s organisations that fall under its remit, which in many cases will be used by these organisations to fund the salaries of their staff.
Following many months of extensive negotiations in the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), an agreement was reached in October 2023 which saw an increase in funding for pay of staff in Section 39 organisations. An overall increase of 8% was agreed, with an initial increase of 3% backdated to April 2023, a 2% increase from 1st November 2023 and a further increase to be implemented on 1st March 2024.
It is important to acknowledge the vital role that these organisations and their staff play in our health and social care sectors. They continue to have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities, vulnerable children, older people and in other social care settings. Government has a clear interest in ensuring the stability and sustainability of these services.
