asked the Minister for Health the reason for the long delay in giving his decision with regard to the appeal of officers in the service of St. Conal's Hospital, County Donegal, against the local authority's refusal to implement a Labour Court award reducing their working hours from ninety-six to ninety hours a fortnight, particularly in view of the fact that officers in other institutions have had this award implemented.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Working Hours of County Donegal Hospital Staff.
5.
The appeals referred to were made by four individual officers employed in the hospital referred to.
In reply to previous questions in relation to the introduction of the 90-hour fortnight for nursing staffs in hospitals, I have stated that I fully agreed with the principle of a 90-hour fortnight. Where health authorities have proposed to me the recruitment of additional staff in order to implement recommendations for reduced working hours I have issued the necessary sanction. It has to be remembered, however, that my functions in relation to that matter are secondary to those of the hospital authorities concerned. Notwithstanding this, I have expressed to the Donegal County Council my concern at the delay in the application of the reduced working hours to the staff at St. Conal's Hospital and have informed them that I am anxious that the conditions of employment of their hospital staffs generally, and not merely the four officers who have submitted appeals, should be no less favourable than those enjoyed by similar staff in other counties. I understand that the matter will come before the council at a meeting later this month, after which I shall consider it again.