Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1707. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health if he will include section 39 healthcare workers in HSE general public sector pay agreements, recognising the shortage in workers in the industry and the need to maintain those in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38096/23]
View answerUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE provides financial assistance to organisations to provide services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide. The Department of Health acknowledges 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. There is currently multi annual funding provided for these organisations through Service Level agreements and Grant aid. 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.
A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022.
Officials from the Department of Health, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the HSE and Tusla attended a number of engagements with trade unions under the auspices of the WRC over recent months.
This process culminated in an offer being made in line with those accepted by community and voluntary staff in other sectors. The offer to workers in this sector amounted to a 5% increase in funding for pay effective from November 2023, with 3% backdated to April 2023, and a commitment to re-engage with trade union representatives following the next public sector pay agreement. This offer was not accepted by trade union representatives. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
