asked the Minister for Health whether he proposes to take any steps to improve the remuneration and working conditions of nurses; and, if not, why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nurses' Remuneration and Conditions.
10.
As recently as last May the sanction of my predecessor in office was conveyed to the implementation of an arbitrator's award involving increased remuneration, effective as from 1st June, 1968, for nurses in the service of local health authorities. The award was applied, also, to nurses serving in voluntary hospitals.
As to conditions of service, the working hours of hospital nurses were reduced from a 96 to a 90-hour fortnight in 1962, and were further reduced to an 85-hour fortnight in 1966. I understand that the Irish Nurses' Organisation have now submitted a further claim for an 80-hour fortnight to the County and City Managers' Association, representing the employing health authorities, and that preliminary negotiations have taken place.
I shall be very happy to consider any settlement that may emerge.
Could the Minister indicate what actual remuneration these nurses have obtained under the award?
It would take me rather a long time to read out the various figures.
May I tell the Minister they have got 5s a week?