It was great to have the budget on Tuesday. Many people contacted me to say it was very good and they were happy with much of it. One of the areas I welcome was the €110 million promised to a range of health funded bodies including nursing homes, hospices and section 39 organisations. My understanding is that it is a once-off payment. How much would be ring-fenced for section 39 organisations that deliver great services across the disability services, older person services and mental health services? When I meet with the team in Holy Angels Carlow or BEAM Services in Bagenalstown, Delta in Carlow and the Cairdeas Centre in Tullow the main issue that comes up is the building and funding for staff.

What also comes up are the terms and conditions affecting section 39 agencies which are quite different from HSE section 38 agencies. What is the update on that? I am aware the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is committed to working on this.

I thank the Deputy for raising the question. The first part of the Deputy’s question was on the winter fund and the Deputy quite rightly said there is €110 million within that. Of that, the disability sector is receiving the lion’s share of €65 million, which is a once-off payment which will be dispensed before the end of the year. Nursing homes will be receiving €35 million and hospices will also be receiving funding. The Department of Health is working out the arrangements as we speak.