The Government will ensure block grants paid to organisations which provide services in the community on behalf of the HSE and Tusla will cover pay increases in line with the latest national wage agreement.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that so-called Section 39 organisations were paid a block grant and it was up to the individual organisations to determine how the money was spent.
However, he stressed the Government would "make sure block grants are adequate to cover the pay increases in the public service".
He was responding to Labour leader Ivana Bacik who said the staff had not received pay increases paid to HSE workers.
She said workers in Section 39 organisations were providing "vital services" including helping rape victims and parents of children with autism.
She said these workers were now being recruited by organisations such as the HSE and the NHS where staff were on better terms and conditions.
Ivana Bacik said pay claims have been submitted to ensure that staff working in voluntary bodies will be able to receive the same pay and conditions as government workers.
