Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

380. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 3 May 2017, if the HSE instructed section 39 organisations to reduce their pay scales in line with the HSE and section 38 organisations' pay scales following FEMPI adjustments; the way in which the HSE has withheld 20% of funding from an organisation (details supplied); the way in which the HSE will administer personal assistant services if the organisation is unable to continue in operation due to the HSE withholding funding; the measures he is taking to remedy the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22821/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) is funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004. The Health Service Executive (HSE) has in place Service Level Agreements with providers funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, that set out the level of service to be provided for the grant to the individual organisation and requirements in relation to standards of care. The HSE has established a Governance Framework to cover funding relationships with all Non Statutory Agencies. It is the policy of the HSE that all funding arrangements with Section 39 agencies are formalised by complying with this Governance Framework.

The HSE has implemented a measure of withholding 20% of funding from agencies which have not completed the necessary Governance Arrangement process within the required timeframe of 1 March 2017. Every effort has been made by the HSE to encourage agencies to complete this process within the timeframe, including extending the timeframe to 1 April for some agencies. Refusal to complete the Governance Arrangement due to pay restoration issues, is not acceptable to the HSE.

With regard to the IWA specifically, this organisation was unable to complete these governance arrangements outlined above. Consequently, 20% of their funding under their Service Level Agreement has been withheld. The full funding will be returned to the agency on completion of the Governance Arrangement process.

As outlined to the Deputy in my reply of the 3rd May last, staff in Section 39 agencies were not subject to the provisions of the Public Service Agreements or the FEMPI legislation which imposed the associated pay reductions. Accordingly, any arrangements offered by each service provider in relation to its employees terms and conditions, including rates of pay, may vary.

As the Deputy's question in relation to the provision of personal assistant services relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

381. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 239 of 3 May 2017 (details supplied), if section 39 organisations' pay scales have been linked to those of the HSE and section 38 organisations for over 15 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22822/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As previously advised, staff employed by Section 39 organisations are not HSE employees and, therefore, the HSE has no role in determining the salaries or other terms and conditions applying to these staff. It is incorrect to state that the payscales of such organisations are 'linked' to those of the HSE. Should they wish, Section 39 organisations or any private employers are free to choose to apply pay rates which are contained in the health sector pay scales, which are a matter of public record, to their staff.