Séamus Pattison
Question:27 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the operation of the principle of job sharing among nurses in the South Eastern Health Board area.
Written Answers. - Job Sharing Among Nurses.
The implementation and maintenance of job-sharing arrangements in respect of specific posts are matters for the management of each health agency.
In carrying out this task, each agency must have particular regard to the exigencies of the service.
Bearing this in mind and in an attempt to accommodate all nursing staff wishing to avail of job-sharing arrangements, the South Eastern Health Board recently reviewed its operation of the scheme. While the board's proposals arising from this review were endorsed by the Executive Council of the Irish Nurses Organisation the members have, within the last few days, voted to reject them. I understand that the board is, however, prepared to have further discussions with the Irish Nurses Organisation with a view to devising an acceptable set of proposals which will have due regard to the needs of the service and at the same time meet the demands of the staff.
I should add that my Department is currently examining the job-sharing scheme to assess the potential for an expansion of job-sharing arrangements.