asked the Minister for Health the percentage pay increase granted to hospital consultants since he came to office; and if this should be regarded as a norm for health service pay increases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Consultants' Pay.
10.
Consultants in health board hospitals received the standard increases under the employer-trade union national agreements for the period in question which were 2 per cent from 1 November 1977 and 8 per cent from 1 March 1978. They also received an increase ranging from 15 to 17 per cent with effect from 1 April 1977 following the implementation of an arbitration award made under the local authority and health service arbitration scheme. This claim for an increase in salary was made in 1974. Consultants in voluntary hospitals received comparable increases.
Increases in pay for health service staff above the standard pay increases provided for in employer-trade union national agreements are negotiated under the conciliation and arbitration procedures of the Labour Court and the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board. As such increases are decided on after arbitration and under the terms of the relevant provisions of the employer-trade union national agreements the question of a norm for pay increases in the health services does not arise.
Is a 25 per cent increase a reasonable estimate of the net increase?
I have given the Deputy the exact figure. There was an increase of 2 per cent in November 1977 and one of 8 per cent from 1 March 1978. These figures are in accordance with the national wage agreement. Then there was an arbitration award based on a claim submitted in 1974 of between 15 and 17 per cent which came into operation on 1 April 1977.
Would that add up to 25 per cent?
It would add up to 27 per cent.
Would the Minister say whether this, for the various reasons given, is likely to be accepted as a general settlement or are there special circumstances in relation to consultants which would not apply to the nurses or other workers in health board employment?
I am not too clear about the point the Deputy is trying to make. There are two different elements involved in my answer. One is the normal national pay agreement increases, 2 per cent and 8 per cent. In addition to that a claim was lodged in 1974 which was finally settled at arbitration and came into being on 1 April 1977, that is the 15 to 17 per cent. Side by side with that the nurses had a separate claim which went to arbitration and was agreed, which gave phased increases of between 15 and 17 per cent. That arbitration award has just been made and is now effective.