Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
714. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the management consultancy and external professional services spend by each section 38 organisation, by firm and service type, annually from 2019–2025, in tabular form. [73631/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not hold the requested information on consultancy expenditure for Section 38 and Section 39 organisations. This is because Section 38 bodies are independent entities that provide health and social care services under the Health Act 2004. They receive the majority of their funding from the Health Service Executive (HSE) under formal Service Arrangements, which set out governance, compliance, and reporting obligations. These arrangements are managed directly by the HSE, not the Department.
Section 39 bodies are private organisations that deliver certain health and social care services. They may receive grant funding from the HSE under Grant Agreements, but they are not part of the public service and are not subject to the same governance framework as Section 38 bodies. The Department does not have a direct governance or oversight relationship with these organisations.
Accordingly, any data on consultancy spend would rest with the HSE in respect of Section 38 bodies and may not be available for Section 39 bodies, as they are independent entities.
