Secure funding and increased accountability for Section 38 & 39 organisations – Burke

Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, has welcomed provisions in the new HSE service plan for increased accountability for Section 38 and 39 organisations.

“I welcome the provision in the new HSE Service Plan for secure funding and increased accountability for the non-statutory organisations, otherwise known as Section 38 and 39 organisations.

“These organisations fulfil a crucial role in our heath and community sectors. Funding amounting to more than €3 billion annually is allocated by the HSE for the non-statutory sector to provide a range of vital health and personal social services.

“Today’s HSE Service Plan confirms that the Service Arrangement or Grant Aid Agreement will continue to be the principal accountability agreement between the Hospital Group CEOs and CHO Chief Officers and Section 38 and 39 funded Agencies.

“In a welcome move towards increased accountability and transparency, the HSE has appointed a Head of Compliance in this area to ensure increased accountability for Section 38 & 39 organisations. Each individual agency will have a named manager responsible for managing the contractual relationship. This person will be responsible for overseeing the negotiation of the Service Arrangements or Grant Aid Agreements including specific service specification, financial and quality schedules. They will also have responsibility for monitoring the performance and financial management of the specified agreement.

“I have no doubt that the new arrangements will be extremely beneficial for these organisations in achieving the very high standards on which they pride themselves. Recent controversies in the charity sector did a lot of damage to Section 38 & 39 organisations. The increased emphasis on accountability will reassure the general public that they can have faith in these organisations who are serving their communities well.”