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

87. 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. [48278/22]

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

Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the important role that Section 39 organisations play in our health sector, particularly in providing services to people with disabilities and older people.

In 2019, a data-gathering exercise was conducted among 50 pilot Section 39 organisations, based on a WRC agreement. This informed a process of pay restoration for 300 of the largest Section 39 organisations, including the 50 engaged in the pilot. Eligibility for pay restoration was based on certain criteria, including those who received over €250k from the HSE through a Service Level Agreement.  A total of €39.16m has been provided for Pay Restoration to date, with a final €4.75m due to be paid in 2023. 

As colleagues will be aware, Section 39 organisations are independently owned and run. As a result, data on the exact number of Section 39 staff employed and their salary level is unavailable. I cannot, therefore, provide the deputy with an estimated cost relating to pay increases within Section 39 organisations.  However, as there are 1,476 Section 39 organisations currently funded by the HSE, we know that this would be a substantial amount.

I believe a process similar to that conducted for pay restoration could play a useful role in providing solutions to the current pay-related issues that Section 39 organisations have raised.  Such a process would help to establish the figures sought by the Deputy.