Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too compliment Deputy Dara Calleary on introducing this important motion. Section 39 organisations have lobbied us all and we see the great work they all do in our communities.

Fairness in all Government decisions should be the standard. We have seen that, in government since 2011, fairness has been sacrificed in search of financial savings. Time after time, we saw decisions being made in which the Government sacrificed the rights of ordinary people, while at the same time allowing vulture funds to operate completely unregulated in the country. This is another example of the unfairness to which I refer.

Section 39 health organisations provide vital health services for society and communities throughout the country. They include hospices, disability organisations and other agencies. The Government has completely washed its hands of the issue and for far too long has dismissed it.

The Health Act 2004 covers section 38 and section 39 organisations. Employees in section 38 organisations are public sector workers and thus subject to pay restoration. Section 39 employees technically are not public sector workers. Traditionally, however, pay levels in section 39 organisations shadowed pay levels in section 38 organisations and the public sector as a whole. This meant that in 2009 and 2010 the HSE reduced the grants paid to section 39 organisations. It communicated with the organisations and the cut in funding was applied to the payroll of each organisation.

When pay restoration began in the public sector, it was not reflected in the grants paid to section 39 organisations. Someone in a section 39 organisation doing the same work as someone else in the public sector is now being paid less for it. This has an effect on a section 39 organisation's ability to retain or recruit staff. The disparity is affecting the provision of vital services, on which people rely. I plead with the Government to recognise the unfairness in that regard and ensure pay restoration in section 39 organisations happens immediately.

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