Burke welcomes requirement for all HSE funded agencies to disclose salaries and allowances

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has welcomed an extension of reporting requirements, in relation to pay levels, allowances and other benefits, to all HSE funded agencies. Details of this further stipulation on voluntary hospitals and agencies were given in response to an adjournment debate tabled by Senator Burke in the Seanad.

“Previously, requirements to detail salaries and allowances applied to organisations funded under section 38 service level agreements (SLA) only. However the HSE partially funds a range of service providers under section 39 SLA arrangements. While the grant-aids between organisations can vary greatly, the total amount of public funds expended is very substantial, standing at over €3.4 billion.

“For all future funding agreements, an additional information return has been added, applicable to both section 38 and section 39 agencies, requiring them to report separately on all individual staff paid at grade 8 level equivalent or above. This requirement extends to include all details of allowances and any other benefits which are being paid to staff at and above this salary level.

“I believe this additional requirement under section 39 organisations is a step in the right direction. The employees of these agencies are not public servants and are therefore not specifically subject to the pay scales approved for public servants.

“The inclusion of this requirement in future SLAs will allow for much greater transparency in respect of higher salary arrangements in all HSE funded agencies. The integrity of these organisations, which provide vital community based services, will be better protected by a more open reporting process.”