Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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335. To ask the Minister for Health when additional funding announced in Budget 2023 to aid Section 39 organisations in the context of the cost-of-living crisis will be made available; whether, in addition to once-off payments, his Department intends to restore funding to these organisations in order that workers in the sector will see their increments reinstated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12122/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE are currently processing the once off payments to the Section 39 Organisations as part of the Government's measure to ease the cost of living pressures. In relation to an update on the payment timelines, I have referred this PQ to the HSE and requested that they respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

A process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in Community and Voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October 2022.

While the Government has committed to a process, it is worth noting that Section 39 organisations are privately owned and run, and the terms and conditions of employment of staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.

The Department notes that this is a cross-sectoral issue and cannot be taken in isolation.