Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 November 2025
935. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the amount of Section 39 funding made available to organisations in CHO2 each year from 2007 to 2025, with the corresponding number of organisations to benefit from said funding in each year, in tabular form. [66148/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra936. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding which has been set aside for Section 39 organisations in 2025 and in Budget 2026. [66149/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra938. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she will restore pre-2008 funding to Section 39 organisations in recognition that current funding does not meet today's running costs for many organisations doing so much good work in communities. [66151/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra939. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if she is aware that many Section 39 organisations providing services to older people in communities are unable to cover their running costs with stagnant funding when running costs have increased, and are depending on donations and charity events to assist with covering costs; if she is aware of the pressure this puts on organisations, without which older people would not have these services and supports in their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66152/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 935, 936, 938 and 939 together.
Section 39 funded organisations in Ireland are primarily community, voluntary, and not-for-profit agencies that receive funding from the HSE to provide health and social care services. The majority of funding to these organisations flows through Department of Children, Disability and Equality for specialist disability services. The Department of Health also provides substantial funding through the HSE to Section 39 funded organisations.
Budget 2026 provided for an overall growth in the current Health budget of €1.5 billion (6.2%) in 2026 compared to Budget 2025 allocation. The HSE will consider the additional funding needs of Section 39 organisations in 2026 based on projected increases in their running costs when determining their funding allocations for 2026. The Deputy will be aware that there was an agreement reached in the Workplace Relations Commissions in March to fund Section 39 organisations for a pay increase of 9.25%, equivalent to the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026. The HSE will also consider non-pay cost pressures including inflation and volume growth when determining Section 39 funding allocations for 2026.
In relation to the specific operational issues raised, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy
