asked the Minister for Defence when Army nurses will be paid the increase of £2 per week which was paid to all other nurses last January.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Nurses' Pay.
122.
Revised rates of pay, effective from the 1st January, 1972, for members of the Army Nursing Service have been approved and payment of the arrears will be made as soon as possible.
What does "as soon as possible" mean?
In the near future.
And what does that mean? Could the Parliamentary Secretary tell us why Army nurses always have to wait more than six months after every other nurse in the country has got an increase? I have had to fight in this House before for a similar increase for nurses in the Army.
Apparently sanction was conveyed by the Department of Finance for the proposal on 9th June, 1972. When I say "the near future" I mean the not too distant future.
Why did they have to wait until June when the Department of Finance sanctioned the increase for every other nurse in January?
At least the sanction was forthcoming and they will be paid. They will not be out of pocket.
That is wonderful, after six months.
I am sure they will be very glad to receive the extra pay.
Is it permissible for these good ladies to join a trade union of which they seem to have a dire need?
That would be a separate question.
This is a very serious matter which should be considered.
I know all these matters are considered very seriously but I cannot answer questions off the top of Deputies' heads.
The Parliamentary Secretary should be prepared to answer supplementary questions.