Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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1348. To ask the Minister for Health if a timeline will be provided for the implementation of pay increases for staff working in section 39 organisations; if he is aware of the regional imbalance in pay among staff at section 39 organisations; if there is a rationale for this; if there is any plan to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13090/23]

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

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.