Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 65 and 68 together.

The employees of agencies funded under section 38 of the Health Act 2004 are classified as public servants. They are subject to the standard salary scales for the health sector as well as having access, in the main, to a public service pension scheme. The employees are included in public service employment numbers.

Accordingly, staff employed by section 38 organisations benefit from the terms of public service agreements negotiated between the Government as an employer and trade unions and associations representing public servants. The current collective agreement, the public service agreement up to 2026, was reached earlier this year and provides pay adjustments of 9.25% over two and half years.

Section 39 organisations form part of the broader community and voluntary sector. They are grant-funded in line with section 39 of the Health Act 2004. It is the position that these organisations are not public bodies; rather, they are private and independently-run entities. The employees of these organisations are not public servants. As such, their terms and conditions of employment are a matter between each organisation and its employees.

I understand there is a process of engagement under way at the Workplace Relations Commission with the participation of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. I know this process is taking place. My Department has been involved in it, and I hope this is a process that can deliver an outcome that will be satisfactory to all parties involved in it.

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