Employment Rights
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-17
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Kieran O'Donnell (FG), Limerick City

I again thank Deputy Brabazon for raising this matter. As I stated, I am taking the matter on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I want to acknowledge the great work healthcare assistants do. I also acknowledge the work of the great staff in Northside Home Care Services and the huge contribution they make.
As I stated, there are different mechanisms by which organisations are funded by the State. The WRC agreement was reached with ICTU unions at the time. They are grant aided under section 39, section 56, section 10 and section 40 arrangements. Services commissioned through competitive tender process such as the HSE authorisation scheme operate under separate contractual agreements with individuals and providers. Any matters relating to these can be addressed through existing procurement frameworks.
As I said, these organisations are not public bodies. While they may receive funding from the State to deliver certain services, the terms and conditions of the employment of their staff, once in line with employment law, are strictly between the employer and employee. There was engagement between the HSE and the service. It is up to Northside Home Care Services to interact with staff as the employer. I understand funding came through the authorisation scheme and section 39. There is obviously detail involved. I want to acknowledge the great work done by staff.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-17/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:38+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-17