Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Deputy Crowe and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for their kind comments. I thank Deputy Collins for tabling this question.

Following many months of extensive negotiations in the WRC an agreement was reached in November 2023 which saw an increase in funding for pay of staff in section 39 organisations, as well as section 10 and section 56 organisations. An overall phased increase of 8% was agreed, with an initial increase of 3% backdated to April 2023, a 2% increase from 1 November 2023 and a further increase that came into effect on 1 March 2024.

It is important to acknowledge the vital role these organisations and their staff play in our health and social care sectors. They continue to have a key role in providing services to people with disabilities, vulnerable children and older people, as well as in other social care settings. The Government has a clear interest in ensuring the stability and sustainability of these services.

The objective of the HSE is to ensure all employees can access their entitlements under the WRC agreement. It has already made significant payments to qualifying organisations and continues to work with each of the organisations to ensure payments are made without delay.

As this process continues, it has come to light that there are other community groups which are funded through different pathways and, although operating similarly, are not technically section 39 organisations, such as local drug and alcohol task force groups, and which have not been encompassed within the existing process. The Department is now aware of the issue that has arisen and is liaising with other relevant Departments to explore how it can be resolved satisfactorily and in a timely manner.

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