Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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662. To ask the Minister for Health the reason that the Donegal Travellers' primary healthcare project has been prevented from paying increments to its staff since 2008; if this is departmental policy; if not, if the HSE has acted alone in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3570/22]

Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health provides funding to the HSE for initiatives targeted at improving health outcomes for the Traveller community.I understand that the HSE funds the Traveller Primary HealthCare Projects via section 39 funding.

Voluntary Agencies funded under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, are managed by the application of either a Grant Aid Agreement (S39- GA) or a Service Arrangement (S39- SA).

I am advised by the HSE that pay and conditions for any worker in a Section 39 funded Agency is the responsibility of the Agency directly. There is no national agreement between the Agencies who employ Traveller Primary Health Care Workers on a national public salary scale. I understand this has resulted in a disparity in the salaries paid by Agencies to Traveller Primary Health Care staff.

The HSE have engaged directly with Agencies managed by a Service Arrangement, who were in receipt of funding during the years of the pay deductions, who remain funded by the HSE since 2019 and who were subjected to deductions in their allocations and they will have received funding relating to pay restoration. I am advised by the HSE that across the Community Health Organisations there has been a net increase in the hourly rate of pay since 2019.

The issue is a service matter and has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.