Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is a need for a debate on the issue of section 38 and section 39 organisations. I appreciate that it is being considered by the Committee of Public Accounts. It is important that information is out there. When I first raised this matter last September at the Joint Committee on Health and Children - I raised it again in October - I suggested that some €3.48 billion was being paid to 2,680 organisations. A number of journalists contacted me to say that figure was incorrect. I asked a question last Thursday about the fact that the pay rules which apply to HSE staff do not apply to section 39 organisations. I do not have the 2013 figures, but I am aware that in 2012 some €812 million was paid to section 39 organisations that are not governed by the same rules. It is time we had a debate on this whole issue.