Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

350. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost to the Exchequer to bring the pay of workers in Section 39 organisations in line with public service pay agreements including Building Momentum and its potential successor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49029/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

351. To ask the Minister for Health the status of discussions with a representative organisation (detail supplied) in relation to pay parity for medical scientists with similar workers in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49095/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the valuable role medical scientists play in our health system.

Following strike action on May 18th and 24th, Health Management and the MLSA attended an exploratory engagement at the Labour Court on 25 May, for the Court to establish whether or how it might assist the parties in finding a resolution to the matters in dispute. 

Following engagement at the Labour Court, parties agreed to reconvene at the WRC for a final engagement process.  This process took place over a three-week period. Parties agreed that any outstanding issues which couldn’t be resolved through the WRC process would be referred to the Labour Court for a final recommendation. During these talks, an agreement was reached on a process to assess this longstanding claim. As this is an ongoing Industrial Relations process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this point.