Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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523. To ask the Minister for Health if pay will be restored to section 39 workers in an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44569/19]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The WRC agreement reached in October 2018 in relation to pay restoration for section 39 organisations provided for pay restoration in relation to 50 ‘pilot organisations’ in the first instance. Pay restoration for these bodies commenced in April of this year with further payments due in 2020 and 2021 as appropriate.

The WRC agreement also states:

“It is recognised that some of the remaining Section 39 organisations (estimated 250 approximately) are likely to have pay restoration issues and a process to address these will be agreed and the parties will commence engagement on this issue during 2019”

L'Arche Ireland Kilkenny is one of these remaining organisations. There have been initial engagements in recent months between the parties on this matter under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission. It has been acknowledged by management that the resources available to deliver on this initiative will be a significant challenge for the HSE. It is also recognised that significant preparatory work will be required to determine the exact costs for pay restoration to this wider group.

The parties are currently reflecting on their positions following the most recent WRC engagement.