Mr. Barry O'Brien:

It is as set out in the pay policy issued by way of circular 11/2013 on 27 September by the Department of Health. It states:

I am writing to set out the essential features of pay policy as it applies to the Health Service and in particular to those bodies funded, in whole or in part, under service agreements with the HSE under section 38 of the Health Act 2004. In light of the findings in the HSE Internal Audit Report on remuneration in bodies funded under Section 38, dated March 15th 2013, the Minister for Health has instructed that section 38 providers be reminded of their obligation to conform fully to Government pay policy. For the avoidance of doubt, employees of Section 38 providers are public servants.

That is the purpose of the pay policy.