asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to have salaries paid to employees of mental hospitals on a fortnightly basis rather than monthly as at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payment of Mental Hospital Employees' Salaries.
The periodic basis for the payment of remuneration to employees of mental hospital authorities is a matter for the consideration of the authorities themselves. I am not aware of recent representations by any particular section or sections of such employees for altering the basis on which their remuneration is at present paid. Employees who desire an alteration of this kind should apply in the matter to their appropriate mental hospital authority.
In the event of representations being made by representatives of the mental hospital staffs, would the Minister consider issuing recommendations, on lines similar to his recommendation on the 96-hour fortnight, for the guidance of the mental hospital authorities in this country?
It is possible for the employees or officers of mental hospitals to apply for these conditions of service. If the application is rejected, they have a right of appeal to me, in which case I would consider the appeal and the objections of the local authority, if any, and would then be in a position to make a certain recommendation, if I thought fit.