asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to expedite the settlement of the many outstanding grievances of nurses; what particular matters are at present under negotiation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nurses' Grievances.
10.
General-trained nurses in the service of local health authorities are a party to the scheme of conciliation and arbitration for local authority officers. I understand that a claim for increased salaries for nurses is about to be heard by the arbitrator appointed under the scheme.
I understand also that a claim for a further reduction in hours of duty has been presented on behalf of nurses to the County and City Managers' Association who represent the employers.
In view of the fact that my sanction will be necessary to the implementation of any settlements emerging from present negotiations it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement at this stage.
Is the Minister not aware that negotiations have been going on for two years and is he not aware that on the 1st April nurses got notification that the contribution towards their emoluments would be increased, the increases ranging from 25 to 35 per cent? Surely these increases should be deferred at least until the question of salary adjustments is finalised? Does the Minister agree that these contributions towards emouluments should be increased while their salaries are not? Does the Minister agree with that or did he hear about it? Perhaps they did it without his knowing anything about it.
In cases of this kind it is far more proper for the Minister to wait until the report is received. I cannot start intervening in the middle of negotiations. It would make absolute chaos of all industrial relations in this or in any other field if a Minister with my statutory power started interfering in negotiations of a most fundamental kind in relation to the nursing profession. I very gladly sanctioned all the improvements in nurses' remuneration and conditions of employment and I will not make a comment on this at the present time.
Sir, is the Minister aware that this adjustment took place on the 1st April? It only requires a "Yes" or "No" answer.
Instructions were sent out from the Department of Health to make the adjustments.
Some of them have been made. I read a list of them but I was referring to some new ones.
On the assumption that the Minister is not aware of the position as outlined in my supplementary question, I want to ask him another. Has he any idea when negotiations will be completed? This is a big question in County Cork and a big question in that part of County Cork which I have the honour to represent here so we will bear with each other for a little while. When will the present discussions——
We cannot debate the whole matter. The Deputy may put a question. He has already put three.
I want to ask when the decision will issue. I want that information for people who are requesting it. When is it likely that a decision or a recommendation will be made?
I could not say. There is disagreement on the claim under conciliation and it is being referred to the arbitrator. It would be impossible for me to say when there will be a decision.
Is the Minister taking any active steps to expedite this or is he sitting back?
I have been looking at the situation but the Deputy knows very well that there have been considerable improvements in remuneration and conditions of employment of nurses since I was appointed Minister for Health and in the time of my predecessor. I have not delayed any sanction required of me in respect of improvements in the position of nurses and the Deputy well knows that.
I am quite satisfied that the Minister is as good——
Order. Deputy McLaughlin.
Is the Minister aware that there is grave discontent throughout the country as a result of the delay in having the question of salaries for nurses settled? Is he aware that if something is not done in the near future local authorities will have great difficulty getting nurses to staff the hospitals?
I understand this matter is being examined as rapidly as possible. Many other claims are coming to arbitration.
Question No. 11 postponed.