Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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663. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated amount that it will cost the Exchequer to bring the pay of workers in Section 39 organisations in line with public service pay agreements, Building Momentum and its potential successor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48374/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department acknowledges the important role that Section 39 organisations and staff play in our health sector. They have a key role in providing services to older people and people with disabilities.

While the Government does provide assistance, under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, to organisations that provide services similar or ancillary to services that the HSE may provide, it must be acknowledged that these organisations are privately owned and run and that their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees.

These organisations were not and are not party to the Public Service Agreements. Consequently, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on pay or terms and conditions of employment within the private sector.