Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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494. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects to release money to the HSE in order to satisfy a recommendation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37207/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I understand the Deputy is referring to Home Help workers who are employed by voluntary providers of home help services which are funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004. It is important to note that these home help workers are not employed by the HSE and therefore the HSE and the Department has no role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff including any pension arrangements.

A joint working group has been established, as agreed as part of the Lansdowne Road talks, to consider a number of issues in relation to section 39 organisations. The work of this group is still ongoing and is expected to conclude in the near future.