Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
863. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a list of all State agencies within her Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14384/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSections "39" and "56" are references to Section 39 the Health Act 2004 Section 56 the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 respectively.
For your convenience see links below to relevant sections:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2004/act/42/section/39.
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/40/section/56/enacted/en/html.
This effectively means that the HSE provides grant funding to "Section 39" organisations and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla provides funding to "Section 56" organisations.
Under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla funds hundreds of community and voluntary organisations to deliver statutory, child-focused services on its behalf.
The funding provided by this Department to the HSE is used to grant fund organisations delivering specialist community-based disability services.
These organisations operate independently but are governed by strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ensuring compliance with public funding regulations, quality standards, and child safety.
It should be noted that providers funded under Section 39 and 56 statutory arrangements are independent employers, responsible for their own staff recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, and State funding does not create a direct employment relationship with the staff of these organisations.
Section 10 organisations fall under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I am confident that Department will provide the information you seek as it relates to Section 10 organisations.
