Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Millennium Celebrations.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

73 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the special millennium working and payment arrangements, if any, he is proposing for all ranks of hospital and other health workers in each of the health board areas; his views on the alliance of health trade union's claim for a flat £100 an hour for the four days over the millennium period as the special bonus on top of the double daily rate, which would mean typical nurses and paramedics earning approximately £1,000 per day for the period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27075/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

To determine the arrangements for the millennium period, a group comprising of officials from my Department, together with representatives of the Department of Finance, the Health Services Employers Agency and a number of health service employers, met with the various health unions in the Labour Relations Commission on 8 December. At this meeting, the following was agreed.

Staff who traditionally would have expected to be off duty on 29-30 December as a result of enjoying privilege/concession day(s) and who this year, attend work at the request of management on such day(s) to meet the additional staffing requirements associated with the millennium contingency plan will receive, in respect of each such day, an alternative two days off, at times to be agreed locally and on a non-replacement basis.

Staff who attend for duty on 28 December and/or 3 January will be dealt with on a local custom and practice basis or in accordance with collective agreements. The option of overtime, at normal overtime rates, will be offered in addition to the normal week's pay.

The claim submitted by the alliance of health trade unions relates to the period from 8.00 a.m. on 31 December 1999 to 8.00 a.m. on 2 January 2000. This claim was the subject of a Labour Court hearing yesterday, 14 December. I await the chairperson's decision on this issue.