Written answers
Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Department of Health
Departmental Data
Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change)
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624. To ask the Minister for Health if he is concerned that children’s health may be compromised due to the lack of staff in Limekiln Lane Health Centre, the Old County Road health centre and Curlew Road health centre, Dublin 12 (details supplied); the staff level rates and vacancy rates in these three centres; how many staff have been recruited since May 2023; and how many staff have left, in tabular form. [46716/23]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
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625. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost for 2023 and 2024 of delivering pay parity between section 38 and section 39 staff, contracted by his Department through section 39 organisations. [46718/23]
Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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No costings are available on the matter of pay parity. It is worth noting that Section 39 and Section 56 organisations are not public bodies, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately between the employer and the employee.
Officials from Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the HSE and Tusla attended a WRC process (16 October 2023) following similar engagements with trade unions representing section 39 and section 56 bodies over recent months. Following productive engagements at WRC, Industrial action that was due to commence on the 17thof October was averted.
The process culminated in an offer being made to the trade unions. The Departments have committed to a significant increase of investment in the sector relating to pay amounting to an 8% increase, phased as:
3% from 1 April 2023
Additional 2% from 1 Nov 2023
And further 3% from 1 March 2024.
Departments have also committed to talks after any future public sector agreement.
The Departments have proactively engaged with the WRC process to ensure the stability and sustainability of services for the benefit of those who rely on these essential services and the workers who are committed to providing quality services.
The agreement, which unions have indicated will be put to their members, proposes an 8% increase in pay, delivered in three phases, with the first phase backdated to the 1st April 2023. The full year cost of the pay increases is €85.6m.
Although we are not the employers, the Departments are aware that staff employed across the hundreds of funded organisations have been employed using a multiplicity of terms and conditions, including different rates of remuneration and are dependent on Government for funding.
Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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626. To ask the Minister for Health for a breakdown of spending allocated for mental health in the CHO1 region on a per-capita basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46725/23]
Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
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