Community and voluntary sector organisations supporting some of the most disadvantaged in society are facing a difficulty in maintaining services without an immediate improvement in funding mechanisms.
Almost 1,900 organisations, such as the Peter McVerry Trust and Enable Ireland, have been supported by section 39 funding from the HSE to provide care services to people who are homeless, older people in care, people with disabilities, young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those dealing with drug and addiction issues.
Impact trade union, which represents thousands of workers in the community and voluntary sector, say existing funding structures for such sectors lack credibility and are out of date.
It wants State funding for the organisations to be restored to ensure sustainability of services. The union also demands the terms and conditions of staff in section 39 agencies should be on comparable terms with public service counterparts.
Source: Stephen Rogers, Irish Examiner, 23/09/15
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